Botswanan startup Brastorne is connecting millions of Africans who lack internet access by turning basic feature phones into digital gateways using simple technologies such as SMS, USSD and IVR/voice technology.
Founded in 2013 by Martin Stimela and Naledi Magowe, Brastorne was born out of the fact that millions of people in African villages remain disconnected from the opportunities that connectivity provides.
The company’s solutions provide access to essential services like farming and agricultural resources, market prices, chat platforms, job listings, health information, and more – all without requiring smartphones or expensive data plans.
“Brastorne helps bridge the digital divide, offering economic, educational, and social opportunities to underserved communities,” Stimela told Disrupt Africa.
It does this by harnessing the power of existing offline tools, like USSD and SMS, to create an experience that feels almost like being online. The team pioneered USSD and SMS-based solutions that turned simple feature phones into gateways for essential services, allowing farmers to access vital agricultural advice, job seekers to find opportunities, and families to stay connected.
“We identified a major digital gap in Africa, where 80 per cent of people in rural areas lack affordable internet access. The high cost of smartphones and data services has excluded millions from digital participation, particularly in farming creating barriers to economic opportunities,” said Stimela.
“While competitors include agri-tech-based organisations and social impact startups, Brastorne differentiates itself by offering offline internet-like experiences on basic feature phones via a multi-channel approach and through strong partnerships. This approach provides affordable digital access to people who otherwise wouldn’t afford mobile data or smartphones, who are often excluded by most competitors.”
The startup, which claims to have so far impacted over five million lives in Botswana, Guinea, DRC, Zambia and Cameroon, has secured various impact investments and grant capital, and also signed partnerships with a number of mobile network operators to expand its reach.
“Uptake has been strong, especially in rural communities where mobile penetration is high but smartphone and data costs are prohibitive. mAgri, for instance, has enabled farmers to increase productivity and income by connecting them to markets and real-time agricultural advice,” Stimela said.
“Expansion plans include launching in Madagascar, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.”
Brastorne generates revenue through MNO partnerships, where telecom companies share USSD/SMS revenue, and subscription fees, where users pay a small fee to access content.
“As a social impact company, revenue is reinvested into expansion and improving services to reach 19 different African countries and have an impact in marginalised communities,” said Stimela.
