The NTOBOA(Social Contributions)Platform

Informal Sector workers generally earn low and irregular incomes.They change jobs and economic activities frequently thereby experiencing high labor mobility.They have no monthly payroll to facilitate predetermined monthly contributions towards their retirement benefits.

NTOBOA is a mobile money digital transfer, payments and micro-financing service technology platform that incorporates digital identification which tailors savings and insurance products to informal sector workers through the payment of contributions on a voluntary basis.The platform is accessible by both smart phone and non -smart phone users.

A universal identification number is issued (through an integrated social registry system) and linked to their mobile number that is connected to their micro savings account (which is a mobile money account). This also enables them to carry out mobile money-to-bank transfers, withdrawals and receive bank-to-mobile money payments.

The NTOBOA platform also employers of informal sector workers to allow contribute to their worker's accounts as a matching contribution.

This platform also facilitates access to government-to-person (G2P) payments and services.  

Informal sector workers are excluded by the formal financial system and their livelihoods are affected by cross border migration. Informal sector workers lack access to social security provided by social protection programs and services of the state and, therefore, have very little to support them in cases of shocks (Some examples are the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic, agricultural and financial losses), crises , unemployment and even retirement. 

In Ghana, about 88 percent of the workforce is employed in the informal sector. The informal sector remains the major source of employment across Africa, accounting for 70 percent of employment in Sub-Saharan Africa (source: AfD2013). In addition, 9 in 10 informal workers are women and girls (Source: AU 2011) .These women and girls are also faced with the obstacles of gender inequalities issues in society.

Some of factors contributing to informal sector workers' inability to access social protection schemes are the unavailability of a fundamental identification system that guarantees inclusion and facilitate delivery of social protection services to informal workers.

Majority of them are unbanked. They usually use mobile money transfer services provided by Telecom Service Providers (Mobile network operators). Majority of informal sector workers also do not have adequate financial literacy.

The target groups are informal workers (including those who are refugees and immigrants), the grassroots (rural areas), urban areas, areas of low internet connectivity.Ntoboa provides informal sector workers with a voluntary mechanism for pooling and investing their savings.

Ntoboa gives informal sector workers a unique, universal identification number called the Ntoboa ID number which is linked to their micro savings (mobile money) accounts. by simply using the USSD code (* 344 #). It also offers the option of language translation of preference. It can be used by both smart phones and non-smart phone users.

 The registration process to obtain the Ntoboa ID number involves submitting their biographical (name, age, gender, address, mobile number, etc) information and registering their biometric (fingerprints, iris scan and facial photograph) information for identification which is also a signature of consent. 

They are able to pay contributions (on a voluntary basis) and have access to health insurance, micro pensions and governmental social protections programs and services.

It also fosters cross border movement of informal sector workers. They can continue to make contributions and access benefits in their home country whiles in another country as long as they maintain their micro savings (mobile money) account in their home country.

The Ntoboa platform incorporates and facilitates the digital identification system through the generation of a unique, universal ID number and bridges the gap that exist in the area of social inclusion and access to social protection programs which would benefit informal workers to better withstand shocks, build assets , and link into the wider economy as fuller economic citizens. This system would also facilitate the cross border movement of workers in that they can make contributions, withdrawals and receive benefits even outside their home country. All these necessities are in alignment with the goal of the Mission Billion Challenge.

There are existing solutions that aim to address the same problem of financial inclusion aided with digital, mobile technology but they have not being able to design and develop products and services that serve the needs of informal workers because they are tailored for the formal sector. They have been unable to onboard the unbanked onto their platforms.

The grassroots regions which are mostly composed of low income earners and have issues of low internet connection coverage.

The Ntoboa platform has been able to solve all these issues by allowing informal workers to easily make small contributions at a relatively low cost and the issues of confronting low internet connection coverage areas has been solved through the use of the USSD code to make contributions, withdrawals and access social protection services. 

There is also the inclusion of access to education and employment training programs which would improve and add value the knowledge base and the skillsets of both adults and children. This would also encourage increased participation of women and girls in educational and financial development.

It also facilitates cross border movement of informal sector workers. They could even continue to make contributions, carry out cash transfers, receive payments, health insurance and benefits from social services of their home country whiles in another country, so long as they maintained their micro savings (mobile money) account in their home country. 

The Ntoboa platform also gives them access to decision aids, personalized information and alerts and standardized options which would help encourage the participation of informal sector workers in this voluntary social protection program.

A social registry system is put in place to educate informal sector workers and let them know the incentives that comes in package of the scheme and register them digitally onto the platform through an e-kyc process using a mobile phone device that support the biometric system. The registration process is done by submitting their biographical (name, age, gender, address, mobile number, etc) information and registering their biometric (fingerprints, iris scan and facial photograph) information.

A unique, universal identification number called the Ntoboa ID number is generated and issued.

The Ntoboa ID number is linked to their mobile number connected to their micro savings account (which is a mobile money account) and enables informal sector workers to make contributions, carry out cash transfers, access micro pensions, health insurance, government services, payments and other benefits using the Ntoboa mobile application or use the USSD code (* 344 #). This also offers the option of language translation (in an audio or text format) of preference.

The data of the informal sector workers is stored in a secure, decentralized database system deployed with blockchain technology, cloud computing and machine learning algorithms.

They can regularly check their account balance and receive updates of transaction statements delivered to their phones for the review and for their records.

Below is a guide using the USSD code to show some of the ways NTOBOA works:

Alternatively, users can dial "344" to hear the audio version (in the form of an Interactive Voice Response) of the procedures mentioned above and follow steps by selecting the desired option.

The implementation of a social registry system which facilitates the sensitization and awareness creation about the Ntoboa platform and its benefits to informal workers which is in the form of financial education and this would enable them to have a better understanding of the importance of having savings and pension plan which would lead to increased participation. The existence of a flexible enrollment process leads to them having a unique, universal ID number to have access to social protection services and benefits. The universal ID number also facilitates cross border movement enabling them to make contributions, receive payments, health insurance, and other social protection benefits in and outside their home countries.

The Ntoboa platform has in inclusion incentives in the form of matching contributions. Employers of informal sector workers can make contributions to worker's accounts and this offers a low-cost option to informal sector employers for providing pensions. They could also borrow from it and this provides liquidity which also encourages a collaborative participation.

Other incentives and benefits include:

1. A recovery support plan in times of shocks or eventualities when they have assigned up to 35% of their accumulated savings consistently monthly to their micro savings accounts in order to access this benefit. Evaluation and assessment of eligibility for access to this support plan is done by carrying out a background check of the consistency of the informal sector worker in assigning the 35% accumulated savings to his / her account monthly consecutively for the past four months.

2. Access to medical health (including maternity protection for women) insurance coverage.

3. Access to education insurance coverage.

4. Access to Disability Benefits (a form of Life insurance).

5. Access to micro pensions (Retirement benefits).

6. Access to Survivors Benefits for relatives that the deceased had consented as (the next of kin) to access their savings and pension benefits which is part of life insurance.

7.The access to savings-backed mortgage when they have assigned up to 65% of their accumulated savings accounts consistently monthly to their micro savings accounts in order to access the mortgage facilities. Evaluation and assessment of eligibility for access to this mortgage support plan is done by carrying out a background check of the consistency of the informal sector worker in assigning the 65% accumulated savings to his / her account monthly consecutively for the past two years.

8.They also have access to government-to-person (G2P) payments and other funds, which include social transfers and payments.

The Ntoboa platform is beneficial to them because they can make contributions voluntarily with a small amount irrespective of their level of income earnings and provides flexibility in risk management.

Outreaches are carried out through social workers and chosen registries to individuals, family groups and communities in remote and marginalized groups to create awareness about the benefits and right to access social protection services.

Data collection and registration is technologically supported which is done as an e-KYC process by gather inputs in the form of biographic information through interview questionnaires in the form of a two-way communication process and biometric information with the use of a mobile phone device supporting the biometric system. This also includes assessing eligibility through social policies. The informal sector workers endorse consent for the collection and use of information in the Social registry, including use by multiple social programs. 

Verification of data is done through an administrative process by cross-checking with other social registries that would act as external verifiers in order to ensure data validation. Data integration and management is carried out in a secure, decentralized database system.

Through the registration process, they are issued the Ntoboa ID number which is linked to their mobile number that is connected to their micro savings (mobile money) account. This enables them to make contributions, withdrawals, carry out cash transfers, access health insurance, receive government-to-person payments and services and other benefits in and outside their home countries. 

 The Ntoboa ID number helps to solve the national identification 'crisis' in West African countries in which a large proportion of informal sector workers are lacking incontrovertible, unassailable and universally recognized IDs needed to access social protection schemes.

The Ntoboa mobile application and USSD code helps informal sector workers (who have the Ntoboa ID number) to check and share e-KYCs which could be done either online or offline. using the digital Ntoboa ID number has resolved this issue by enabling users to be able to easily retrieve and access it at all times through their mobile devices.

The use of a two factor authentication option which is a security feature that involves the use of the Ntoboa ID number and a one time password (OTP) to their access their micro savings account (which is their mobile money account) and carry out transactions in the form of transfers and receive payments (This option is available to both smart phone users and non-smart phone users).  

It also incorporates the option of biometric authentication features for every transaction and the ability to lock / unlock biometrics instantly to improve security and prevent fraud (This option is available to smart phone users using the Ntoboa mobile application).

With the Ntoboa-linked mobile verification system, informal sector workers can check which mobile number is linked with their data and get their information updated when required on their Ntoboa profile portal accessible through their mobile devices. 

This security features are available to better protect both the user's credentials and the resources the user can access.

Ntoboa API would be provided for integration with other systems. This Open API- enabled payment system would be a centralized system that would make it easy for financial services providers and mobile network operators to plug-in and launch their services. It enables interstate (also referred to as intercountry) integration and portability of financial and other services.

The use of the USSD code for informal sector workers to have access to social protection services especially in areas of little or no internet connection.

The existence of language translation option (in an audio or text format) to language of preference when using the mobile application or USSD code.

The incorporation of an integrated social registry system to educate them on the benefits of the Ntoboa platform, register and enroll them onto the platform.

The use of offline e-KYC verifications in which informal sector workers can check and share their information through the mobile app or the USSD code in which they would authenticate that they are providing their personal information which also serves as a proof of identification. 

 The number the Ntoboa platform would be serving in one year is over a 500,000 informal sector workers and the number the Ntoboa platform would be serving in five year would be close to 20 million informal sector workers in the West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Niger and Togo)

Goals within the next one year and goals within the next five years include expansion across West African countries and i ncrease market share by at least 3% before the 4th quarter of the each year through continous innovation, establishing a strong brand identity, strengthening customer relationships and establishing good customer service, smart hiring practices (talent aquisition), team building, employee training and development programs, creating customer and employee incentive programs and continuous development of new, improved products and services becausewe ultimately want to enable our customers (informal sector workers) achieve financial inclusion and have a secured quality of life through access to Ntoboa platform's products and services tailored to enable them access social protection programs, hence, alleviating financial uncertainty and contributing towards achieving the M illennium Development Goals. 

This existence of cultural barriers that includes social and gender-based exclusion, inequalities and vulnerabilities.

The cultural barrier would be solved through educating them on their economic, social and cultural rights, including rights to health and food security, education, social policy information, and decent livelihoods. Also, emphasis would be made on ensuring the increased participation of women and other vulnerable groups such as the physically challenged and the aged on the Ntoboa platform.

The number of staff are currently 3 in number and are all full-time staff.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Rhema Adedipe(CEO)

 [Project management and software development]

Profile:

Rhema Adedipe studied BSc. Computer science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Rhema is a project manager, software engineering expert and co-ordinator carrying out the design and development with an inventive team on projects in the area of artificial intelligence technology development, data integration and researches. A member of the Afrochampion initiative network organized by the African Union.

Ruby Kodiah(CFO)

 [Business development and operations]

Profile

Ruby studied BSc. Actuarial science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and graduated with distinctions. She has in-depth knowledge on the fundamentals of Insurance industries, its operations and regulations. During her national service, she worked with the project and operations team for the Identity management system subsidiary of the Margins Group. She earned skills for business development and operations during her course of employment in the execution of the Ghana National Identification Card Registration procedures. She also played the role as the personal assistant to the Executive Director of Margins Group.

Aaron Tetteh Charway(CTO)

 [Business intelligence and software development]

Profile

Aaron Tetteh Charway studied BSc. Actuarial science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is a Research and Data Analyst, software developer and a business analysis expert carrying out analysis and technical research on projects and working  in the area of Machine Learning, software development and testing and Market Analysis.

We currently partner with the Developers in Vogue(DIV) organization - They aim to provide additional support in the development of the Ntoboa platform.

The services offered through the Ntoboa platform include cash transfers and withdrwals, micro savings products, insurance products, micro pensions products and government-to-person (G2P) payments and services.

The Ntoboa platform allows low-income workers to easily make small contributions at a relatively low cost. Informal sector workers can contribute a daily minimum amount of US$0.18, If they contribute US$0.18 per weekday, they can save up to roughly US$45 per year. In order to ensure inclusivity, there are no penalties if a member fails to contribute. They are regularly alerted and updated whenever transactions are being made. Payments are made using Ntoboa mobile money digital platform using the Ntoboa ID number as a proof identification. There are nominal transaction fees and informal sector workers can regularly access their account balance using their mobile phones and receive updates of transaction statements delivered to the their mobile phones for review and for their records.

Funding would be solved by bootstrapping(self-funding) as the first source of funding. 

The next step would be planning and budgeting a least one year of funding either by a venture capitalist, partnership or sponsorship, government(public) and non-governmental organizations to setup our organization's financial structure and stability.

On the long term, revenue generated from the products and services offered to informal sector workers would be used to financially sustain our organization. This would be from transaction costs of services at a cost of 1% on transactions.

This also includes revenue generation from third party partners like financial service operators and Telecom service providers through established partnerships.

Funds would be raised from governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and venture capitalists in the form of equity. The amount we seek to raise is a total of $50,000 US Dollars. We hope to raise the money before February 2021.

These are the estimated expenses for the year 2020 stated below in US dollars:

Capital equipment and facilities(including services) cost:$12,000

Logistics cost:$11,000

Advertising/Promotional cost: $ 9,000

Other administration cost (Management and non-management staff, including field agents, auditing, contracting, taxes and general legal services) salary: $15,000

Total estimated expenses: $47,000

We are applying Mission Billion Challenge because it is a good opportunity that will give access to the required mentorship from top-notch experts with valuable experience which is a vital requirement to establish a sustainable organization.

It would also enable our organization to form lasting networks as we learn and share ideas which would as well propel the Ntoboa platform forward, enhance business continuity and scalability into other West African countries.

We would establish partnerships with Telecom service providers(Mobile Network operators)- They include (but not limited to) Orange in Cote d'voire, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Niger, Togocel in Togo, Moov in Benin, Cote d'ivoire and Togo, MTN and Vodacom in most West African countries in order to collaborate in the dissemination of social protect schemes through the integration of mobile money services in the NTOBOA platform.

We will also partner and integrate the NTOBOA plaform with financial service industries( banks and credit unions), insurance institutions, non-financial institutions, governmental agencies(primarily the Government Revenue Authorities, National Social Security Trust) and non-governmental agencies.

We will work together with these institutions and organizations to effect the implementation and scalability of the Ntoboa platform across West African countries.

International partnerships include the World bank, MIT solve and Google which would be in the form of networking, mentorship and extensive strategy development that is needed to scale up the reach of the Ntoboa platform to impact the lives of millions of informal sector workers  across West Africa in this current generation and the future generation to come. 

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