Mobile Money Information System Architecture for an Open Air Market
Title
Mobile Money Information System Architecture for an Open Air Market
Project Year
2012
Region
West Africa
Country
Nigeria, Ghana
Project Description
The objective of this research was to examine ways in which mobile money could improve the experiences of individuals crossing the borders between Nigeria, Benin,Togo and Ghana. Rather thanexamine allfour countries,we chose a more narrow study area,the large urban area known as GILA (the Greater Ibadan-Lagos-Accra corridor).
GILA includes thelargest cities in each country and,overall,powers the regional economy. Given the common goalof the national governments to reduce dependence oncash and increase the use of digital money, it makes sense to go where the money is. In this part of west Africa,the money is in GILA.
Despite the short distances (about 500 kilometers end-to-end), three international boundaries divide four distinct nations with differences in regulation,culture,
wealth and established telecoms and banks. Mobile money is unevenly available.
The research took an inventory of money handling practices for different categories of international travellers at the three border crossings (Ghana-Togo, Togo-Benin and Benin-Nigeria). We interviewed industry and government stakeholders and offer high-level concepts for services that might encourage use of mobile money to replace physicalcash within the GILA corridor.
Internet and telephone research began in May,2012 and continued throughout the year. A research trip and in-person interviews took place in September and October 2012.
GILA includes thelargest cities in each country and,overall,powers the regional economy. Given the common goalof the national governments to reduce dependence oncash and increase the use of digital money, it makes sense to go where the money is. In this part of west Africa,the money is in GILA.
Despite the short distances (about 500 kilometers end-to-end), three international boundaries divide four distinct nations with differences in regulation,culture,
wealth and established telecoms and banks. Mobile money is unevenly available.
The research took an inventory of money handling practices for different categories of international travellers at the three border crossings (Ghana-Togo, Togo-Benin and Benin-Nigeria). We interviewed industry and government stakeholders and offer high-level concepts for services that might encourage use of mobile money to replace physicalcash within the GILA corridor.
Internet and telephone research began in May,2012 and continued throughout the year. A research trip and in-person interviews took place in September and October 2012.
Researcher(s)
Joel Patenaude
About the Researcher(s)
Joel Patenaude is a Managing Partner of J2 Partners, Inc., a consulting firm based in Montclair, New Jersey. Patenaude holds a Masters of Regional Planning degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His present clients include an e-payments company in Nigeria. Regional experience includes multiple trips to Ghana. Patenaude served as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya.
Link to Researcher Outputs Page
Collection
Citation
“Mobile Money Information System Architecture for an Open Air Market,” Institute for Money, Technology & Financial Inclusion (IMTFI) Research Projects, accessed April 18, 2024, https://imtfiresearch.omeka.net/items/show/6555.