Practical Insights on Technology for ICT4D Projects

5 Reasons Why Platforms Are Better Than Bespoke Technical Solutions

5 Reasons Why Platforms Are Better Than Bespoke Technical Solutions

Published on: Jul 04 2016 by Natasha Beale - 8 Comments
For many organizations, the struggle to choose between platform and bespoke solutions is becoming more and more unwieldy as technology choices increase exponentially....
The Status of Open Data Initiatives in West Africa

The Status of Open Data Initiatives in West Africa

Published on: Jun 29 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Open data offers many improvements for governance and services. As technology allows for more interoperability and a stronger free-flow of information, the government...
Randomized Control Trials Feed Our Fetish for Single-Focus Interventions

Randomized Control Trials Feed Our Fetish for Single-Focus Interventions

Published on: Jun 24 2016 by Guest Writer - 8 Comments
I am Ed Gaible of Natoma Group and I am here to report that RCT fetishism is alive and well in development. Sometime in the early part of this millennium, Randomized...
The Dangers of Legal Ignorance in Digital Development

The Dangers of Legal Ignorance in Digital Development

Published on: Jun 17 2016 by Josh Woodard - Comments Off on The Dangers of Legal Ignorance in Digital Development
Some time ago I was working in a country that had enacted data localization laws requiring that all personal data that originates in that country must also be hosted...
Help USAID Find Evidence of Real-Time Data Use in Development

Help USAID Find Evidence of Real-Time Data Use in Development

Published on: May 13 2016 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Development is messy and complex, but our projects are set up around linear information systems that are slow, one-way, highly siloed and paper-based. Project management...
The Global Archipelago of Internet Disconnection

The Global Archipelago of Internet Disconnection

Published on: May 06 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
For many people around the world, Internet access is an essential part of everyday economic, social and political activities (cf. Graham & Dutton, 2014). Yet...
Mobile Data Collection: Current Practice and Lessons Learned at Plan International

Mobile Data Collection: Current Practice and Lessons Learned at Plan International

Published on: Apr 25 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Smartphones and tablets offer an increasing array of applications and services that can be useful in our daily lives and work. Data collection, an important part...
Are Facebook Messenger Chatbots The Answer to Our Aid Questions?

Are Facebook Messenger Chatbots The Answer to Our Aid Questions?

Published on: Apr 22 2016 by Jacob Korenblum - 4 Comments
Last week, everyone’s favorite frenemy – Facebook – held its annual developer conference in Silicon Valley. Waving our ICT4D flag in the crowd, Souktel...
The Ongoing Challenge of Protecting Privacy in Digital Development

The Ongoing Challenge of Protecting Privacy in Digital Development

Published on: Apr 18 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on The Ongoing Challenge of Protecting Privacy in Digital Development
As digital is increasingly integrated into development, privacy protection will become more critical (and more complex), especially for individuals with greater...
Please RSVP Now: USAID Harnessing the Data Revolution for Resilience Summit

Please RSVP Now: USAID Harnessing the Data Revolution for Resilience Summit

Published on: Apr 11 2016 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Please RSVP Now: USAID Harnessing the Data Revolution for Resilience Summit
The world is currently producing unprecedented amounts of digital data, as well as unprecedented growth in digital connectivity. These trends enable new ways of...