Maji Matone: A reality check on mobile technology from rural Tanzania Ben Taylor Daraja November 2012

A concrete service delivery challenge in rural Tanzania

Our use of technology Giving citizens a means to report on local waterpoint problems via mobile phone Giving local govt water departments quick information on problems Using the media to amplify the information provided and put pressure on local government water departments to respond

When messages were received, good conversion rate into waterpoint repairs But, very few messages received

Why did we fail? Learning Lessons Obstacles to engagement: – Network coverage is far from universal – Gender – men typically control phones, while collecting water is seen as a women's responsibility – Electricity supplies – Risk and apathy – people find a relationship with local govt that works for them, dont want to upset a tricky balance Lessons: – New technology is not a magic bullet. It has a lot of potential, but not everywhere or in every sector – The solution has to fit the context as well as the problem: this same approach would be a much better fit in an urban Tanzanian context, or possibly in Kenya, or broadened to include citizen reports on any local problem, etc. – Old technology – radio – worked very well. Shouldn't be forgotten in the rush to use new ICTs. – Accountability is political not administrative. Public attention and pressure "concentrates the mind"

Contact Details For more details of the Maji Matone programme and lessons learned from its failure, see: – Daraja:Ben Taylor: – – – blog.daraja.org – mtega.com – facebook.com/DarajaTz – –