Frequently Asked Questions
About our technology
What is Jamii.one's technology?
Jamii.one creates technology to improve saving communities and the ecosystem that supports them. There are three main components to Jamii.one’s technology: a user-friendly app (Jamii.one app) that replaces the paper ledger with a digital ledger for saving communities; a data platform (Jamii.one Insights) for the NGOs that support saving communities so they can improve the efficiency of their projects; and services for users that wish to access financial services and products.
Is Jamii.one's technology free to use?
The Jamii.one app (Jamii.one app) is FREE for saving communities and NGOs. Our data platform (Jamii.one Insights) has a free option that enables NGOs to view and monitor their data. For those who want to take their data a step further with our unique data analytics, affordable subscription options are available.
Who can use Jamii Insights?
Jamii Insights is Jamii.one's data platform that allows NGOs and individuals managing saving communities to monitor and track their groups' performance. It can be used by anyone managing groups, however we recommend it most to organisations and individuals with over 5 groups.
Visit: Our solution
Who can use the Jamii.one app?
Anyone, anywhere in the world that is part of a saving community can use the Jamii.one application. Get started by downloading the app for FREE from the App store, Google Play, or Samsung gallery. It only takes 5 minutes to get started!
Visit: Getting started
Can people with low reading skills or no digital experience use the Jamii.one app?
Yes. The Jamii.one app was designed and built with 600+ saving community members to ensure that it could be used by anybody and everybody. It accounts for low reading, digital and financial literacy and helps educate users in each area.
Visit: Our design process
Do you need a smartphone to use the app?
Yes and no. To register savings and loans, you need to download the app on a smartphone. But as a regular member of a saving community, you don’t need to have a smartphone - or even a regular phone - to be part of the digital solution. However, if you have a feature phone that can receive text messages, you can receive free text message notifications every time there is a meeting and your savings have been registered.
Video: Digitising saving community members
What languages does the app support?
Our app can accommodate any language. Is your language missing from the app? We are more than happy to collaborate with anyone interested in investing a minimum amount of time to help spread the adaption of Jamii.one to more savings groups. Visit our translator community to get involved!
Visit: Translator community
What are the requirements for using the app?
The app is compatible with smartphones with iOS and android version 4.0 and up. You need to be connected to the internet to use the app, but the app uses very low data. Only 1 person pr. group needs to have the app installed, and can use it to register on behalf of the entire group.
Can you use the Jamii.one app for payments?
No. The app is a digital bookkeeping tool that replaces the paper ledger with a digital ledger.
Can I use Jamii.one if I’m not part of an NGO?
Yes. If you are managing more groups and need a tool to help you manage the groups then the Jamii.one platform is the right tool for you. We typically recommend our data analytics component, Jamii Insights, to NGOs or individuals managing several groups that need a way to track group performance and progress.
Visit: Our platform
Can I use Jamii.one if I’m not already part of a saving community?
Yes, you can create a group using the JamiiPay app. Visit our 'getting started' page to find out how you can get started today!
Visit: Getting started
About our company
Is Jamii.one a non-for-profit organisation?
No. We are a for-profit company committed to providing our digital platform to as many saving commmunities as possible. That's why our platform carries no cost for end-users. However, we have a sister organisation called Jamii.one Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation that focuses on financial inclusion projects.
What problem is Jamii.one trying to solve?
Jamii.one is addressing the problem of financial exclusion - by creating technology to ensure the financial inclusion of poor and disenfranchised communities around the world. Financial inclusion is an effective approach to poverty reduction and other major development goals. That’s because financial services enable communities to invest in their businesses to grow their income, afford important purchases like education and health insurance, and bounce back faster after emergencies like natural disasters or family deaths.
What are the saving communities that Jamii.one works with?
Saving communities are any group of individuals that come together to save their money. Often, these saving communities are made up of unbanked and underbanked people - i.e., those who are excluded from the formal financial sector (including banks). There are many types of saving communities: VSLAs, savings groups, Iddirs, Equubs, and Susus to name a few. Each type provides unique services to its members, often in the form of loans or insurance. All transactions within the saving community are recorded using a paper ledger (Jamii.one offers an app that replaces this paper ledger with a digital ledger). Often, NGOs will start and manage saving communities because of their important social and financial impact.
Why are saving communities important?
Saving communities enable poor and disenfranchised communities to smooth their incomes and access some of the financial services they need. Members can save their money with these communities and take small loans when needed. Saving communities also provide important social benefits, like social support through times of family emergencies and fostering financial literacy.
How do users gain access to loans and other financial services?
When users use the Jamii.one app, they build a credit history and digital identity - two key barriers to access financial services. Jamii.one leverages this data in the formal financial sector to connect users to financial services optimised to their credit and income profile.
Visit: Jamii Services
How is Jamii.one different from banks/microfinance institutions?
Jamii.one is not a microfinance company. We do not directly provide users with financial services. Rather, we bargain with banks on our users’ behalf to connect them with services that are optimised to their credit and income profile.
Visit: Jamii Services
How was Jamii.one’s technology designed?
Jamii.one’s technology was designed through a process of co-creation between our NGO partners and end-users.
Visit: Our design process