Team Chura has emerged winner of the Sub- Saharan Ericsson Innovation Awards. The Kenyan youngsters' app allows subscribers to switch, buy and cash airtime across networks in a multi- sim environment.
Customers are also allowed to trade in airtime for cash, and presents opportunities for the distribution of airtime to multiple phone numbers on Kenyan networks.
Chura takes home $10,000 after beating off strong competition from runners-up Guavay, an undergraduate team from Tanzania and third-placed P.O.I Information Technology Services, a small enterprise in Ethiopia. The jury motivated their choice by saying:
"Team Chura's app brings a number of services that address regional challenges, including speed, reliability and coverage. The App shows a strong business potential and creatively addressing the theme "Future of City Life".
Open to students and start-ups from across the region, teams that entered the EIA competition for sub-Saharan Africa were asked to develop ideas that use ICT to improve the quality of urban life.
Each entrant was required to come up with an innovative idea, a business plan and a description of why it should be chosen as winner.