The SHOPS project funded a 16-month study conducted by the Monitor Group as reported in Promise and Progress: Market-based Solutions to Poverty in Africa. The study identified mHealth (mobile applications for health) business models enabling enterprises to successfully engage with the poor in Africa, primarily in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania. This primer aims to (1) highlight key practices that will assist m-enabled enterprises in reaching commercial viability in the near term, and (2) assist funders interested in business model principles that enable sustainable impact. Presenting four case studies on m-enabled solutions and 10 lessons for consumer-facing and systems-oriented mHealth projects, the primer shows that inclusive businesses in all sectors are still in their infancy and that much can be learned about how they work, why many struggle, and why only a few succeed. Highlights key practices and existing challenges for making mHealth services commercially viable. Covers business model lessons for consumer-facing and systems-oriented mHealth solutions.
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