David Mikkelsen, co-founder of Refugees United, said last week that developers and innovators in Silicon Valley can learn a lot from Africa’s fast-growing startup scene and it’s use of simple mobile solutions with a big impact. Speaking last week at the Digital Leaders event in Silicon Valley, Mr. Mikkelsen made the case that developers and entrepreneurs in Africa are at the forefront of the mobile revolution, especially when it comes to developing groundbreaking mobile solutions with limited resources and investments.
“It is time for a radical new approach to innovation, combining high-tech and low-tech,” said Mr. Mikkelsen.
The Digtial Leaders Event brings together the most influential entrepreneurs and executives from the tech industry. Using case studies from Refugees United’s mobile programmes in refugee camps around East Africa, and drawing on examples from Refugees United’s tech hub in Nairobi, Mr. Mikkelsen emphasized the need to look towards Africa’s booming startup scene.
“In our quest for fancy new mobile solutions, we often forget that millions of people around the world use low-end mobile phones with no Internet access.”
Refugees United’s innovative approach to family tracing has been highlighted by the likes of Bill Clinton. With a special mobile tool, SMS campaigns, partnerships with Africa’s leading mobile operators, global hackathons, and zero-rated internet browsing services, it is easier than ever to find missing loved ones.
For David Mikkelsen, the 39-year old co-founder and co-CEO of Refugees United, life changed in 2005 when he and his brother Christopher met Mansour, an afghan refugee in search of missing family. While helping Mansour with his search, the Mikkelsen brothers quickly discovered the need to digitize the family tracing process.
They founded Refugees United, a tech nonprofit that empowers refugees to take the search for missing loved ones into their own hands, tapping into the mobile phone boom in developing countries. To search for missing family, please visit www.Refunite.org or dial 0800 724 882 from Kenya and 62014 from the Democratic of Congo for free.
Through various projects in refugee camps, David Mikkelsen has seen first hand how vital a low-end mobile phone is when it comes to reconnecting families – as well as the transformative powers of mobile phones in Africa in general. As part of Refugees United’s journey, the organization has had to simplify their mobile tool, to ensure that it is accessible in the most remote areas of the world.
“Kenyan developers excel when it comes to developing apps and mobile solutions aimed at alleviating global problems.” Mr. Mikkelsen was joined on stage by professors from Standford and Columbia universities, as well as entrepreneurs from some of the world’s biggest tech companies.
Follow the conversation on Twitter: #DLSF13
For more information please contact Communications Manager, Ida Jeng: ij@refunite.org
