Creative Associates International and multinational mobile telecommunications company MTN will collaborate to pilot and scale digital solutions to development challenges, the companies announced today.
A memorandum of understanding combines Creative’s expertise in education, economic growth, peacebuilding and digital development with MTN’s experience in digital innovation and its mobile network in 21 countries across Africa and the Middle East.
“This partnership brings together passion, experience, ingenuity and the ability to scale technologies that can respond to development challenges today and in the future, whether in agriculture, education or elections,” says Leland Kruvant, President and CEO of Creative.
Leading the joint venture is the Creative Development Lab—a unit that specializes in big data, geographic information systems, media, education technology and financial technology—and MTN’s Digital Innovation team, with experience in user base, product development, innovation and investment, among other areas.
The two companies say they will work together on a range of projects, including data analysis, mobile money, tech start-up acceleration, hackathons, technology-based education solutions and reaching underserved populations, among others.
“Aid and the private sector need to work hand-in-hand to leverage each other’s strengths since development is a shared human and enterprise goal,” says Ayan Kishore, Director of the Creative Development Lab. “Working with an African-born powerhouse that is committed to the continent’s growth and has the platform to do so is a tremendous opportunity for development. It is exciting to see the alignment of the innovation agendas of our teams.”
About Creative
Creative Associates International works with underserved communities by sharing expertise and experience in education, economic growth, governance, positive youth development, workforce development, transitions from conflict to peace and more.
Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has active projects in nearly 30 countries. Since 1977, it has worked in nearly 90 countries and on almost every continent. Recognized for its ability to work rapidly, flexibly and effectively in conflict-affected environments, Creative is committed to generating scalable, sustainable solutions to complex development problems, through partnerships.
Started by four enterprising women with diverse backgrounds, Creative has grown to become one of the leaders among the U.S. private sector implementers of global development projects. Creative is minority owned and operated.
About MTN
MTN is a pure-play emerging markets mobile telecommunications operator at the forefront of technological and digital changes. Headquartered in Johannesburg, MTN delivers a bold, new digital world to customers across Africa and the Middle East – one of the world’s fastest growing regions for mobile telecommunications.
Established in South Africa at the dawn of democracy as a leader in transformation, MTN has grown rapidly by investing in advanced communication infrastructure and by harnessing the talent of its people. The company offers voice, data and digital services to retail customers in the 21 countries, as well as enterprise solutions to corporate and public-sector customers in a total of 23 countries.
MTN believes everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. MTN’s vision is to lead the delivery of a bold, new digital world to its customers and its purpose is to make customers’ lives a whole lot brighter.