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online services for those with no fixed address

IIKEEN... (see iiken.com) is a an solution that will enable communities with no fixed address and limited financial inclusion to order goods online and get it delivered.

Define three specific objectives that you would like to achieve with your proposal.

digital inclusion... to enable all to get access to online servcices

financial inclusion... to enable those with no credit cards to buy goods online

online deliver service... to ensure goods ordered online can be delivered to those with no fixed address.

What problems (particularly in value chain competitiveness and global disruption) are your community’s stakeholders facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic?

Enable online delivery services to those with no fixed address and credit card to purchase good online.

What minimum viable solution(s) are you proposing to address the challenge(s) in your community?

I have developed an app and a website using limited capital from my startup company in Somalia. And this solution allows people to buy goods, i.e. initially books for students and the general public online and get it delivered to wherever they are using what3words API.

Share your story (your narrative)

No one in Somalia can buy a book online with locally issued credit card.... this was what motivated me to develop iikeen.com. Then expanded to iigeey which is to send goods to anywhere using online service such as www.iikeen.com or the iikeen app.

Please provide any additional relevant information that you would like to share.

try.... http://www.iikeen.com/

Public (16)
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Nivashini Rave Rattey May 11, 2020

Hello Mohamed,
Thank you for sharing the overview of your idea! Please upload your profile photo. We want to know who we are cocreating with :)

I read your overview and was wondering of the following:
1. When you 'say' goods, does that mean all sorts of goods? Is this app for the entire of Somalia or just part of it? Also, what do you mean by no fixed address? The person is keep moving? If that's the case, then how will you track them? Please explain the feasibility of your idea.

2. One your objectives is to enable digital inclusion. Does this include those from the rural areas as well? Because, the overall access to internet in such rural areas can be poor. As such, they may not have access to your app. So how will you overcome this challenge?Perhaps, you may want to clearly define your target audience groups and then elaborate how exactly your app will be available to them and how it benefit to them.

3. The other question is regarding your second objective: financial inclusion. I understand that not all have credit or prepaid card for making online purchases. As such, how are your patrons going to pay? Cash on delivery? If yes, then what are the precautions will you have to take to avoid scams? For example, they can order the goods and when the delivery arrives, the purchasers may not pay for the goods. This will be a waste of time and resources. How would you deal with such incidents? Please elaborate.

4. Due to the ongoing health crisis, many delivery businesses have emerged. How will yours be different? What is so unique about your idea- specifically in terms of the value chain competitiveness and global disruption- during the current pandemic? Please elaborate.

5. Next, you may want to clearly list the opportunities that are available during this pandemic situation and then elaborate how exactly you intend to leverage on each of them and why. I cannot understand much from your current answer.

6. Your story. You may want to elaborate the challenges that you face while developing this app and what triggered you to develop this app- in detail. Right now, your story is in a sentence and that's not enough for me to get hooked. Remember, you are selling your idea here via your story. It is therefore paramount for the readers to get 'hooked' to it. So, please download our storytelling factsheet and re-write your story for establishing an 'emotional' connection. Stories must be backed with real scientific evidence and data.

Good luck!

Mohamed Ibrahim May 11, 2020



Thanks for your feedback.

This app is initially for areas in Somalia where there is internet access. However, to use the what3words function i.e. providing the physical location of the client, wifi is not needed.

Phase one of this app was for ordering books only, however, we have update to allow ordering any good.

No fixed address means exactly that... our clients may not have fixed address, i.e. street number and house number etc. However, they can provide what3words.com address of where they can be found, within 3x3 metres.

In some rural areas, this is possible, but all over Somalia. However, where there is telecommunication facility, this solution will work. The current target audience is mainly students, other clients in cities and towns. The main benefit is having access to global online markets, just like anyone else in the North of the digital divide.

This is the main objective of the project to enable those without credit card facility to have access to online markets. Via iikeen.com our clients will order goods and pay via the local mobile money or via yeel apps (yeel.apps) into a local bank account. IIKEEN will then do the rest, meaning we will order the book or the good using account we have setup with Amazon or other online shops. So, locally our clients will pay using the local mobile money facility, iikeen apps will convert this to an order into the global online markets using an account that we have already setup.

In summary a client in Somalia orders a book or some other goods, pays for it using the local mobile money facilities available almost in any city and town in Somalia, provides the what3words address using IIKEEN. The apps will do the rest. There is no room for fraud or scam, it has been tried and it works.

Our business was pre-covid19 pandemic era. This solution is different by relying on the local mobile money fund transfer and what3word addressing.

To encourage social distancing during the covid19 pandemic, the use of this app will facilitate ordering books and/or other goods via an app on mobile phone. Also sinec the postal system does not work and we face address challenges the what3words addressing solution which will solve the delivery problem while reducing the need for physical contact.

I developed this app because many students in Somali universities cannot buy books online. In fact, although my focus was the students... this is true for all Somalis in Somalia. The reason being credit cards issued in Somalia are not accepted by many online shops around the world. So I setup accounts with Amazon, Alibaba etc. using my own Credit card issued outside Somalia... that means I can buy stuff online. I developed IIKEEN to solve this problem by linking the use of local mobile money solution to my account with global online markets. The next challenge was how to deliver the books or goods... because even if you were to buy a book for a Somali student, Amazon cannot deliver that since the student will not have address that Amazon can understand... but my app, IIKEEN has solved this problem by using what2word addressing system.
6. Your story. You may want to elaborate the challenges that you face while developing this app and what triggered you to develop this app- in detail. Right now, your story is in a sentence and that's not enough for me to get hooked. Remember, you are selling your idea here via your story. It is therefore paramount for the readers to get 'hooked' to it. So, please download our storytelling factsheet and re-write your story for establishing an 'emotional' connection. Stories must be backed with real scientific evidence and data.

Muyunda Kaonga May 13, 2020

Great initiative, I have a few questions
1. Kindly highlight to me more on how your solution is going to help your community during this pandemic
2. How is iikeen addressing the issue of COVID-19?
3. How are you managing inventory and also delivery of good to your customers, what safety measures have you put in place to make sure that there is less spread of COVID-19 during the whole dispatch service?

Then my other observation is you have not stated the problem clearly and also the solution and how best your idea is in relation to tackle COVID-19 but good start

Mohamed Ibrahim May 23, 2020

iikeen is an app that can be downloaded and used via smart phone by anyone without being closer to anyone... and therefore social distancing is not issue. In fact, the use of what3words as an addressing mechanism enables the delivery of the books or any other goods without any phyical contact.

The problem is that many people in Somalia do not have addresses based on street numbers or addresses as in developed countries where the Post can deliver to a pre-determined clear adderss as in 123 xyz St, Surbub, Postcode, Country- Instead I have student living near Lido beach, Next to Hotel Mango, Mogadishu, Somalia... etc. So what3words enables pinpointing that with 3x3 metres square and gives that students 3 words that will enable iikee to find him!

Patrick Obumselu May 14, 2020

Hello Mohammed, how are yourbusers going to pay for the services and how exactly will they be located since they don’t have any fixed address?
I need you to make tour idea very clear too

Mohamed Ibrahim May 23, 2020

They will pay using the mobile money solutions widely used in Somalia. Then the iikeen app will order the book or the item using payment method acceptable to amzaon, jd.com or any other online supplier. This has been tested and it works.. the next version of iikeen will have 'eegay' optio which means 'take it to', in which anyone will be able to buy goods online and send it to someone in Somalia...basically the reverse of ordering stuff from within Somalia.

Ojarikre1 May 30, 2020

Great piece and succinctly written

Uche Udekwe Jul 26, 2020

Nice.. please check out my project too.. LIKE it and please drop your constructive feedback

Israel Abazie Jun 12, 2020

My first observation is that you didn't state clearly who your target market is. You will need to segment your market here and outline your distribution channels. Reaching people in undeserved areas of course would be difficult to access your app, and then there is the concern of literacy levels, how are yiu able to address all of these? Put it in your application and make it stronger. And most importantly, involve your potential users in the design process. Take note of this: build something people want. Thanks

Mohamed Ibrahim Jun 19, 2020

Thanks for your feedback... take note of this: communication skills are useful, merci.

Emmanuel Angoda Jul 2, 2020

In Uganda, the government is piloting a new addressing system, with view of enabling e-commerce and mail delivery. Being able to serve "marginalised" and unserved communities improves their lives. I would encourage you to study the Uganda pilot study and learn lessons & challenges.

Uche Udekwe Jul 26, 2020

well Said.. please check out my project too.. Like it and please drop your feedback

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Looks good... thanks for the suggestion. Try what3words.com ... highly recommended.

James Kiruri Jul 15, 2020

Amazing idea considering this is an Africa wide issue or rather a developing world issue.

Marabe Ditshego Jul 15, 2020

Hi Mohamed,
I trust you are well.

Let me congratulate you on your idea and also believe that your project is very important for your community.

I wish to share a few considerations.
1. Since you’ve already developed a prototype, how about you consider changing your objectives into SMART objectives to reflect where you would like to take Iikeen going forward. Visit https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/project-objectives/ for a detailed explanation
2. Consider amending your problem section to reflect how has COVID-19 affected the poor financially as well as the distribution of food; problems that Iikeen will be the ideal solution to.

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks... your points noted.

Steve Liddle Jul 16, 2020

Amazing how a mini-trust community like this can be developed and work in with providers such as Amazon. You have invented a trusted medium where you take the risk and provide the micro-capital until you are reimbursed. I can see this having other applications - and not just for the cashless or nomadic. Well done, Mohamed.

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks... la luta continua!

Thomas Mueller Jul 22, 2020

Dear Mohamed,

This is in general a great idea and will definitely solve some issues in many countries in Africa, not only Somalia. However, you did not mention what is your business model and revenue stream.

The what3words is an easy to share and remember location. But when people keep moving, this will change as well. One could similarly share the live location on WhatsApp or the current location on Google Maps, correct? However, this would require to have an internet connection.

Another concern is the payment situation and who is taking the risk for goods ordered and then the person not to be found or not having any funds?

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks Mueller... the idea in brief is to help people, mainly students in Somalia get access to books they want to buy online. Now, there are two problems if you live in a country where there is no functioning addressing system, i.e street number or Post Office Boxes, etc. and secondly you want to use Credit card issued in Somalia and for that matter many other countries to purchase stuff online... this solution will solve these two problem.
The revenue stream is based in recovering the cost of the transaction in processing and delivering from the purchaser, about 2% of the cost of the book... BUT in some cases less, for example students who can collect their books from our university contacts, etc.

Try it if you can.... thanks.

Achia Khaleda Jul 23, 2020

Its an e-commerce site as per my understanding? Why do you want to use API here? is it for locating detection?

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Yes for interacting with banks.... thanks.

Fahmida Hossain Jul 24, 2020

Hello Ibrahim,
Your initiative is not yet clear to me. Use a unique name for your initiative. We hope you'll tell us more about your initiative.

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks Fahmida... the idea in brief is to help people, mainly students in Somalia get access to books they want to buy online. Now, there are two problems if you live in a country where there is no functioning addressing system, i.e street number or Post Office Boxes, etc. and secondly you want to use Credit card issued in Somalia and for that matter many other countries to purchase stuff online... this solution will solve these two problem. Try it if you can.... thanks.

Fahmida Hossain Aug 5, 2020

Thanks for your response

Ricardo Martinezgarza Jul 26, 2020

Dear Mohamed,

As Steve Liddle noted, "You have invented a trusted medium where you take the risk and provide the micro-capital until you are reimbursed". My concern is in regards to the key-word "micro-capital". You mention that your're using your personal foreign-issued credit card, and such card will sooner rather than later max-out.

How are you planning to scale out of your personal credit card? Please elaborate further on what is your sustainability model?

Great project, my best wishes

Users tagged:

Karin Rehar Jul 27, 2020

Hello, could the goods be delivered in local shops...? MondialRelay is doing something similar. Best, Mojca

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks Mojca... yes they can be delivered in local shops. Pls tell me more about MondialRelay.

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks Mr Martinezgarza... your point is valid. The personal Credit Card option was at the proof of concept stage. However, as we expand and more people start to use this service, we will make business arrangements beyond personal Credit card, which is already underway.
The business model model is sustainable and the figures suggest that already, there are some inherent problems such as working with banks as partners to facilitate payments, etc. In brief the de-risking policies of banks in the West slow us down as they do not like credit cards issued in some countries, etc. But we shall overcome as time goes...

M.
@steve liddle

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks Mr Martinezgarza... we are working on using more commercial financing method beyond using personal credit card. The use of the personal Credit card was during the proof of concept stage... thanks.

Users tagged:

Alberto Farca Jul 29, 2020

Dear Mohamed,

Congratulations on your idea, specially solving the payment and delivery issues in Somalia.

In one of the previous comments I read the story behind your idea, I would suggest to include it in your final submission. I have also read many comments in regards to how you finance the project. If I understand correctly, you are doing through a personal credit card. I think this is worth clarifying in your final submission and maybe looking for alternate solutions that enable international money transfers.

I hope this suggestions are useful.

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks, will do. At this stage with amazon.com this is one option which is not costing me too much... BUT as we grow, will consider different model. Thanks for your suggestion.

DJ Koeman Aug 4, 2020

i like tha yuo use W3W and that you focus on books. is your business model based on fees for delivery?

Mohamed Ibrahim Aug 4, 2020

Thanks. Yes, we charge minimum fee to cover our cost at this stage. We are also working with some online booksellers who want to sell books to students in Somalia without charging too much profit...

Tafadzwa Chikwereti Aug 16, 2020

Hello !

I would like like to share the following with you:

I was about to share a quote that came in my mind a few seconds ago. Suddenly I remembered what Prof. Dr. Günter Faltin wrote." simplicity is a good principle. Complexity is the entrepreneur's enemy. If you believe that "paring down" and "simplicity" are too basic, not impressive enough, and not at all grand, then remember Leonardo Davinci: " Simplicity is the ultimate perfection".

It came to my mind that my quote had already been said by others, several times and in many different ways. But when did they say the quote, did they use the same words as mine, what were the circumstances? How the author did grew up? Was he black or white? A man or female, and many more questions. When I realized that the combinatorial analysis still offers unlimited scope, I silently breathed a sigh of relief. The market is never saturated for entrepreneurs, it requires a dose of simplicity to innovate and propose a sustainable solution while using available material, inclusive what others already used.

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