Unlocking access to mobile online education for Youth in Africa through affordable internet phones.

KaiOS is providing access to online education materials to students in DR Congo by closing the digital divide through affordable internet phones supported by innovative device financing acquisition or rental model.

2.6 billion people are not connected to the Internet, that’s 1/3 of the world population. But in LMI, it is reversed: 1/3 of the population is on Internet, 2/3 are not. According to GSMA, there are 900 million women in low- and middle-income countries who are still not using mobile internet, almost two-thirds of whom live in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Women in these regions remain the least likely to use mobile internet compared to men, with gender gaps of 41% and 36%, respectively. Important to note that today only 400 million people are not covered by broadband network (coverage gap), so the usage gap is 2.2 billion people.

Coverage gap is 5% globally but is 15% in Africa.

One of the key reasons for the digital divide is: the affordability.

This digital divide disproportionately affects people in developing countries, particularly women and those in rural areas.

This limited access to the internet creates a severe barrier to:

•          Education

•          Financial inclusion

•          Economic empowerment

•          Women Empowerment

•          Information 

KaiOS’ innovative solution accelerate the digitalization of unconnected population in developing countries, by removing the affordability barrier that is keeping billions offline. 

KaiOS does not just connect people to Internet but also propose access to relevant services like Education apps to better serve the youth population in developing countries. 300,000 students accessed to learning materials provided by Roducate app, available on KaiOS phones, in a previous pilot program in Nigeria.

KaiOS plans to deploy such programs around Education at scale in other countries in Africa.

Empowering Rural Students: A Scalable Education Rental Program (Low- and Middle-Income Countries Focus)

KaiOS is breaking down barriers to education in remote areas across low- and middle-income countries. Our innovative device rental program equips students with the tools they need to succeed.

Key Features:

• Affordable Technology: We leverage our low-cost technology to make education accessible.
• Local Partnerships: We collaborate with microfinance institutions and relevant EdTech startups for on-the-ground support.
• Secure Rentals: Our unique device lock technology ensures collateral security, facilitating partnerships with financiers.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we'll offer students in partnership with selected schools 4G internet-enabled phones preloaded with K-12 educational content. This sustainable business model benefits both financiers and EdTech partners, paving the way for expansion.

Our program will demonstrate financial viability for low-income students, with low default rates due to the undeniable value proposition – empowering students through education.

Based on GSMA research, the primary reasons for individuals not being connected to the internet are attributed to three main factors: the cost of smartphones, limited digital education leading to apprehension towards using smartphones, and a lack of perceived usefulness of internet connectivity. KAiOS phones, which are equipped with essential internet services including WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Search, Google Maps, and over 1,500 other apps, are manufactured for under $25, with retail prices ranging from $10 to $12 through device financing programs. This affordability unlocks internet access for underserved populations, including:

• Youth: Accessible internet facilitates education and opens doors to opportunities.
• Women: Enables financial inclusion and empowers female entrepreneurs.
• The Poor: Bridges the digital gap, fostering economic growth.
• Remote and rural communities: Connects previously isolated regions.

The global unconnected and unbanked population: Provides a pathway to the digital economy, particularly for informal merchants seeking affordable solutions to digitize payment transactions.

With the primary objective of reaching the next billion users, KaiOS has already reached over 175 million users. Future plans involve enhancing the platform's value by promoting relevant apps in areas such as Agriculture, Health, and Education, alongside innovative device financing programs. For students, affordable internet access has the potential to profoundly impact their lives by enriching their educational journey and expanding their horizons.

KaiOS stands unrivaled in its ability to deliver internet-enabled phones at unparalleled affordability, boasting strategic partnerships with key internet service providers such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Maps, Google Search, and YouTube. 

Our commitment extends beyond mere connectivity to providing access to crucial apps in sectors like Agriculture, Health, and Education, empowering users with invaluable resources.

Moreover, our team has already forged partnerships with leading education apps in various African countries, including DRC, where both Schoolap and Stechene have received approval from the Minister of Education. This demonstrates our dedication to enhancing educational opportunities and access to information.

With a retail price starting at $25 and the potential to drop to as low as $10-$12 through device financing plans, KaiOS phones are making waves globally, with over 175 million units deployed to date. However, we recognize the importance of continuous growth and expansion, particularly in providing access to online education materials for the youth population.

By leveraging additional support from programs like SOLVE, we aim to accelerate the deployment of KaiOS devices, ensuring widespread access to online educational resources and furthering our mission of bridging the digital divide.

KaiOS already deployed 175 million phones and have plan to accelerate its growth with a focus in Africa, including dedicated program for education to duplicate its Nigerian one.

300,000 students in Nigeria already accessed to online education materials thanks to KaiOS affordable devices.

KaiOS is in discussion with several education app developer to duplicate such program in several countries in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, DRC, Madagascar, Ivory-Coast and others).

The EdTech solution we plan to deploy in DRC is considered as Pilot as it is based on innovative rental program blended finance model, deployed specifically in schools for students, what we never deployed before.

We're participating in the SOLVE challenge to gain global recognition for this impactful approach and inspire its replication worldwide. 

The associated grant will empower us to implement a blended financing model and demonstrate the model's success and sustainability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

This real-world showcase will be instrumental in attracting larger financial partners within the DRC, paving the way for nationwide and regional expansion.

We believe that within Solve’s network, we would find some companies keen to advise us on our financing model based on blended finance, as possibly to be actively part of the program.

KaiOS as a start-up is very open to benefit of external advises in several areas at no cost. 

We deploy the ambitious mission to close the digital and financial divide through our web-based mobile operating system. 

We are convinced that our success in this mission is to deploy device financing programs at scale. We have different plans to deploy such programs from partnerships with Financiers on case by case at country level, to possibly creating a specific fund to mitigate the risk at large scale. We would be keen to benefit of Solve’s partners expertise to assess our strategy also.

KaiOS stands as a transformative force, bridging the gap between unconnected populations in Africa and essential internet services like education ones through our affordable internet-enabled devices. 

Our solution is not just about providing access; it's about delivering a comprehensive ecosystem of apps and relevant services tailored to the needs of users.

Innovatively, KaiOS addresses the challenge of mobile online education access in several ways:

We bring together relevant internet content and the means to access it by integrating dedicated services designed for developing countries into our devices supported by our innovative device financing program.

Our device financing program, the most affordable in its class, offers parents the flexibility to optimize their plans, with the added benefit of reclaiming their deposit at the program's conclusion.

With $10 deposit and 10 months of $1,50 rental, students would benefit of KaiOS internet phone enabled with education app.

By minimizing default risks through our undeniable value proposition of empowering students through education, we ensure the sustainability and success of our initiative.

And through integrated lock device system, KaiOS can control the access to the device and manage special locking mechanisms as well as user experience degradation to mitigate default.

The KaiOS Edtech solution is fully protected by KaiOS OS technology.

The technology is based on 2 main blocks: (A) The OS, composed of 3 layers: Gonk (kernel, HAL, ni C/C++) ; a Web runtime (Gecko) ; and an application layer (HTML/Js/css) ; (B) The backend services push/FOTA/cloud/payment (Golang, Cassandra, Java, Redis, NATS, Hadoop...)

KaiOS solution is based on its software platform (an operating system and a suite of mobile applications and services) which is based onweb technology and runs on lighter processors and memory than Android. It also enables mobile manufacturers to produce more traditional phones with keyboard, which are more familiar to our target users.

Because of its unique web technology, KaiOS is the most competitive option to release low cost internet phones ($20-25 comparing with lowest Android smartphone at $55).

To achieve low-cost internet phones release, KaiOS partners with several players in the ecosystem from chipset makers, tech & content providers to mobile manufacturers - and carriers.

KaiOS internet phones brings the best of smartphone to its low-cost device ;

• Battery for days (Long-lasting battery life that can last up to five days)
• Durability (Long-lasting battery life that can last up to five days)
• Affordability (Smartphone functionality at affordable prices)
• Connectivity (Wi-Fi, 3G/4G/LTE, VoLTE, and GPS)
• The world’s most popular apps (Facebook, Whatsapp, YouTube, Google Search, Google Maps, etc) and specific apps like education apps

KaiOS' platform and device financing program represent a unique opportunity for youth to access online education services, paving the way for a brighter, more empowered future.

For this reason the financing structure of the device financing rental model would be based on blended finance model, fitting well to this sustainable education development program for emerging markets.

KaiOS would solve the issue of Education digital divide in Africa by the combinaison of affordable internet phones release through an innovative device financing program and the availability in its apps ecosystem of the most relevant Education apps (from apps presenting official governmental curriculum to specific apps to reinforce the education skills of the student).

KaiOS’ initial education program with Roducate in Nigeria showed positive impact of KaiOS solution, allowing 300,000 students to continue their studies from home during the covid-19 period.

Devices were provided by teachers to children aged eight and above from low-income families. 

After one year of using Roducate on KaiOS devices, the 2021 WAEC pass rate of Lagos State publich school students increased by 100% from 40% to 80%. The highest in history. The Roducate app developer have been awarded by Lagos State Government with the Gold Award in recognition of their immense contribution and support towards the growth and development of education in Lagos State, Nigeria.

For Youth student, affordable internet access can change their live by fueling education and opportunity.

Our impact goal is the UNSDG 4 Quality Education. We will monitor our impact on this goal by measuring:

• the number of youth students connected to online education apps
• the official government success indicators in the different exams (for example in Nigeria, the 2021 WAEC pass rate of Lagos State public school students increased by 100% from 40% to 80% due to the usage of Roducate KAiOS app. 

KaiOS solution is based on its software platform (an operating system and a suite of mobile applications and services) which is based on web technology and runs on lighter processors and memory than Android. It also enables mobile manufacturers to produce more traditional phones with keyboard, which are more familiar to our target users.

KaiOS is a fully optimized OS (Operating System) stack for entry-level mobile devices, with

•          Latest Web standards and security features

•          Memory as low as 256/512MB RAM for 4G devices

The technology is based on 2 main blocks: (A) The OS, composed of 3 layers: Gonk (kernel, HAL, ni C/C++) ; a Web runtime (Gecko) ; and an application layer (HTML/Js/css) ; (B) The backend services push/FOTA/cloud/payment (Golang, Cassandra, Java, Redis, NATS, Hadoop...)

KaiOS rental program will be managed by KaiOS lock-system that would lock the device, with access to only basic features, if monthly payment not managed by the user.

53 employees

8 years, since 2016

KaiOS team is international (America, China, Taiwan, Hong-Kong, India, Africa, Europe) and is strategically located across the globe (offices in San Diego, Shanghai, Taiwan, Bangalore, South-Africa, Casablanca, Paris) to be close to its main partners and customers.

Each employee possesses unique abilities that contribute to the growth of our startup. They have the needed agility as one of their key skills. 

The diversity and multi-cultural team is an asset for managing the several tasks and different localized partners our employees undertake (from a US carrier to an European fintech to a local African distributor).

KaiOS' rental program operates on a financing model designed to provide accessible internet phones equipped with educational apps for children. Under this plan, parents are offered the opportunity to acquire an affordable internet-enabled device for their children through a monthly loan arrangement.

To enter the program, parents would be required to provide a minimum $10 deposit as a guarantee. Subsequently, they would reimburse a $1,50 monthly fee during a 10 months period, allowing them to gradually acquire ownership of the device. Moreover, parents have the option to reclaim their deposit at the end of the plan, if they decide not to retain the device, minimizing the overall cost of accessing educational services.

This plan is facilitated by financiers based on a blended finance model, ensuring sustainable support for the initiative.

The program offers numerous benefits ;

• for parents, including access to the most competitive pricing for providing their children with internet phones equipped with accurate educational apps. The flexibility of returning the device at the end of the plan further reduces the cost of accessing educational services.
• schools also stand to benefit, as the program increases student engagement with educational programs through the integration of technology, fostering a more dynamic learning environment.

·       for students, the program provides access to officially approved education apps endorsed by the Minister of Education, supporting them in their academic journey.

Our education rental program in the DRC serves as a pivotal step towards showcasing the financial viability of our concept, providing valuable data to attract potential financiers across various countries. With a strong belief in the program's potential, we anticipate low default rates, buoyed by its compelling value proposition of empowering students through education.

Building on our existing experience with device financing programs and leveraging our network of financiers already integrated into the KaiOS ecosystem, we are well-positioned to seamlessly scale up this education program. This strategic approach ensures a smooth transition from pilot to large-scale deployment, maximizing impact and accessibility for students across different regions.