Paper short abstract:

Digital platforms can diversify the rural livelihoods by enabling access to new markets. However, there are several barriers hindering the adoption of these services. To solve this, we have trained selected community member (called tech mediators) to help their peers to use new technologies.

Paper long abstract:

Multisided digital platforms create value by facilitating collaboration and communication between different user groups. Because of the digital nature of the platforms, the users can be located anywhere in the world. In theory, this means that the rural communities of the global south can sell their goods in markets that they could not otherwise reach. These goods can be traditional agricultural products, but they could also be something else such as handcrafts. Services, such as hospitality for visitors are also possible. The diversification of the local livelihoods will bring new resources to the community, which increases economical resiliency and food security.

However, the practice has shown that there are several barriers that prevent rural communities from utilizing these platforms. Even if the access to devices is solved, there might be cultural factors or lack of needed skills that prevent the usage. Additionally, the platform economy is notorious for its exploitative policies.

To solve these problems, we have developed a concept of tech mediator. Tech mediator is a community member who receives training on how to use the digital services, and then helps the other community members to do so. The tech mediators should proactively find new relevant services for the community to use. Tech mediators can also provide other types of entrepreneurial guidance for the community. The tech mediators are a community owned solution, which empowers the community to avoid the whims of the global platform corporations. We have tested the concept in Namibia with promising results.