OUR STORY
Sauti East Africa is a women-led social enterprise based in Kenya combining development research and technology solutions to address the digital information gap facing women in trade.
We build, implement, and scale mobile trade and market information solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across East Africa. Since 2017, we have directly reached over 131,000 business operators in “low technology” environments in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania and indirectly empowered many more traders as partners in program design and technical implementation.
Sauti East Africa brings proven expertise in information technology solutions, research, mobile data collection, evaluation, and trade insights.
OUR MISSION
To address information barriers in “low technology” environments through scalable and sustainable technology and research solutions.
Our Approach
We bring specialized expertise in research and innovation to close the digital information gap for women in trade.
Trade & Market Information
We empower MSMEs to access accurate, up-to-date, and officially sourced information using mobile phones
Sauti’s mobile trade and market information platform uses SMS, USSD, and WhatsApp technology to close the digital information divide for women in trade across East Africa. Project implementers and researchers can also download data on women-led enterprises through Sauti’s interactive trade insights data dashboard.
Research & Engagement
Understand and engage stakeholders on key information barriers that exclude women from trade
We develop research and methodologies to understand the differentiated needs of women in ‘low technology’ contexts and the information barriers they face.
LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY
We design transformative technologies that connect the first mile with the last mile
We help projects to integrate flexible and cost-effective information technologies into last-mile design and delivery. Our custom platforms collect data and deliver dynamically updated information to the hardest-to-reach communities.
Mobile Data Collection
We leverage survey capacity with unprecedented scale and ease of use across East and West Africa
We optimize mobile data collection tools to assess impacts on people and businesses engaged in trade and other hard-to-reach populations.
Sustainable Impact
We stimulate systems change and innovation beyond the project lifecycle
We are committed to sustaining long-term development gains that continue after projects formally end. We offer services as information partners to support sustainable design, implementation, and transition from project close- out to sustained results.
Our Values
Our values guide everything we do and how we do it.
Humility
Respect
We conduct our work through mutual respect and appreciation for different perspectives.
Passion
We empower the change that people need and deliver the solutions that people want.
Transparency
We engage in open and thoughtful communication with traders, colleagues, and partners.
CLOSING THE DIGITAL INFORMATION GAP FOR WOMEN IN TRADE
Sauti’s trade and market information platform targets information barriers to enhance small-scale competitiveness and profitability in East Africa.
Our Partners
