Apposit recently built and deployed services for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) on its Multi-Channel Messaging Platform. These services incorporated MCIT’s first e-government SMS services to the general public.

The services currently available include being able to check one's electricity bill amount, being able to get a variety of information regarding foreign exchange rates for all major currencies traded by the National Bank of Ethiopia and senior students graduating from 12th grade being able to inquire about their exam results and university placement. All these services are available from any basic SMS enabled phone and are available to the public for free.

These services are designed to improve the delivery of public services to citizens and reduce bottlenecks and inconveniences in service provision. A simple SMS will now allow people to check their electricity utility bill amount before going to a payment center, helping them to take the right amount of cash with them thus helping them avoid multiple trips. Similarly business people and others interested in foreign exchange rate information can access official NBE figures immediately any day at any time. People can also subscribe to receive alerts on their mobile phone whenever there are exchange rate changes. School students, especially those in remote areas can also now check their results and placement information from wherever they are avoiding a possible costly and lengthy trip to their school.

Apposit worked with MCIT to develop the concepts and deploy the platform including the integration with Ethio Telecom’s infrastructure.

About MCIT:

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology develops, deploys and uses communication and information technology to improve the livelihood of the Ethiopians nationwide. www.mcit.gov.et