AEF Esoko

completed

Esoko Networks Ltd. (“Esoko” or the “company”) began as TradeNet in 2004 as a software application undertaken by a Ghanaian software incubator BusyLab. Esoko’s product is a market information platform - an SMS and web-based platform that enables real time data gathering and dissemination to end-users (any internet or mobile phone user). The platform can be applied to any application or industry that would benefit from direct access to a mobile phone based-population, specifically one that requires low-cost usage. Esoko has developed a strategy to expand its operation in Africa and Asia through franchising. Esoko operates its own franchise in Ghana (Esoko Ghana – 100% owned) in order to showcase the product and provide feedback for product development. Esoko Networks has licensed its platform in 8 African countries and Afghanistan. Most licensees are public projects, government initiatives or NGOs seeking to establish commercial market information systems.The first and most developed application on the platform is “Esoko Market Live”, a market information system for the agri-business sector. This product provides agriculture commodity prices (input and output) and trading capability to rural farmers, buyers, traders, associations and agri-businesses mostly via SMS. Customer feedback indicates a reduction in market inefficiencies through improvement in supply chains, more equitable pricing and better access to markets for farmers and buyers.