The visually impaired encounter a number of barriers that impede their
access to financial services independently due to deficiencies in voice
commands, societal stigmatization and misconceptions about their
capabilities.
In Uganda, its estimated that 5.9 per cent of the population, or about 2.7
million people are visually impaired while about one million are completely
blind.
These individuals have trouble doing some activities that the able bodied
find easy, such as buying airtime, carrying out balance inquiries, and
generating mini statements.
What if there was a solution to this? And now there is one.
App Bantu, headed by Franklin Byaruhanga, and -members Anne
Nowamani, and Andrew Nyago have created the EchoKash app with a
vision that transcends traditional financial interfaces by catering to visually
impaired consumers.
“We identified the challenges faced by individuals in Africa, particularly
those with visual impairments, in navigating traditional text-based
financial interfaces. This recognition fuelled our commitment to develop a
solution leveraging AI and voice technology to create a more inclusive and
accessible platform for financial transactions,” Byaruhanga said.
EchoKash placed second at the 2023 MTN MoMo Hackathon and received
a $3,000 prize. The MTN MoMo Hackathon 2023 was the third edition and
was held under the theme “Innovative Financial and Transactional
Applications”. The hackathon is an innovative platform designed by MTN
Mobile Money (U) Limited to bring together visionary web developers and
entrepreneurs from across Africa.
The hackathon aims to harness the power of technology and creativity to
accelerate financial inclusion and drive the digitization of payments on the
continent.
A key feature of the hackathon was that all developers and entrepreneurs
created groundbreaking mobile applications that leverage the MTN Mobile
Money Application Programming Interface (APIs).
Consequently, these applications all utilize modern capabilities of V2.1 apps
such as the ability to make notifications, carry out Know Your Customer
(KYC) operations, KYC, and authorization among other things.
The apps also enjoy V2.2 (Channel as a Service) capabilities to cover use
cases beyond payments, thereby fostering a comprehensive and inclusive
digital financial ecosystem.
The hackathon served as a nexus for budding developers across Africa to
connect, collaborate, and forge pathways to professional growth by
engaging with seasoned experts within the tech industry.
"EchoKash employs advanced AI for voice recognition, ensuring seamless
user interactions by understanding diverse accents and tones. Our AI
doesn't just facilitate transactions; it provides personalized financial
insights," Byaruhanga explained, highlighting the platform's commitment
to inclusivity.
He said that the integration of Natural Language Processing (NLP) within
the app allows for intuitive, conversational commands, transcending
language barriers and providing a user-friendly experience.
The platform also employs AI-driven transaction analysis to interpret
patterns, offering tailored advice that empowers users to make informed
financial decisions.
EchoKash doesn't stop at insights; it extends its support by facilitating
access to low-interest loans, promoting financial flexibility, and
empowerment.
With this app, accessibility lies at the forefront, breaking down barriers for
the visually impaired and those with limited literacy. The intuitive nature of
voice interfaces attracts a wider audience compared to traditional text-
based methods, fostering inclusivity.
Moreover, Byaruhanga emphasized how EchoKash's voice AI contributes
to improving financial literacy. The platform's global reach, supporting
multiple languages, aligns with its goal of breaking linguistic barriers for
financial inclusion.
Looking ahead, he foresees a future where voice becomes integral to
diverse financial processes, from customer service to advanced financial
planning tools.
"EchoKash is more than a transaction tool; it's a personalized financial
advisor at your fingertips," Byaruhanga declared, explaining that the
platform aims not only to provide convenience but also to serve as a
catalyst for inclusivity, security, and a user-friendly financial landscape.
Apps like EchoKash exemplify why the MTN MoMo hackathon stands as a
vital platform fostering innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The hackathon gathers diverse talents—developers, entrepreneurs, and
experts—to address real-world challenges specific to mobile money
services and issues in the telecommunications industry.
And in so doing, the MTN MoMo hackathon has served as a breeding
ground for innovative solutions, encouraging participants to think
creatively and work collaboratively within a condensed timeframe.