Hormuud Telecom driving API technology in Somalia for better economic growth

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have become the Lego blocks of today’s global tech machine. From Johannesburg to Moscow, developers and entrepreneurs are using APIs to connect ordinarily standalone services and solutions to provide better value to end users.

APIs are the things that allow software programs ‘talk’ to each other. They are what let you order an Uber from inside the Google Maps app, share an article on LinkedIn, use your bank’s USSD code, pay for a laptop you bought on Jumia using M-Pesa, and share your Taxify trip details with your friend on WhatsApp.

Today’s demand for data integration (we increasingly want to have all our data/information in one place) is driving companies, startups, and entrepreneurs to break down software components into what is known as microservices.

In Africa, with the exception of companies like Africa’s Talking, Flutterwave, M-Pesa, and Paystack, the API game is ruled by the telcos who allow startups building mobile services to connect their APIs in building new products.

Somalia, despite decades of turmoil, has not been left out in API usage within the Horn of Africa. One telco firm driving the uptake and usage of API is Hormuud Telecommunication firm.

One of the key areas that Hormuud Telecom is investing in is API technology. As part of its services, this giant company offers various APIs, including SMS API, Mobile Money, and USSD APIs, which enable businesses and developers to integrate their services into their own applications and platforms, creating innovative solutions for various businesses and markets, and empowering them to create value-added services that can enhance their customer experience, increase efficiency, reduce costs, as well as automating their payment processes and recording transactions accurately, decreasing the risk of errors and saving time and resources.

Hormuud Telecom's API service can address some of the challenges and opportunities that Somalia faces in its economic development.

Most Somali enterprises can utilize the company's mobile money API to allow customers to pay for goods and services via their mobile wallets.

But it’s not just the business enterprises that can benefit from Hormuud’s API technology, educational institutions can leverage the SMS API to disseminate educational content and reminders to students, parents, and teachers, thereby enhancing learning outcomes and retention rates, especially for those with limited internet or electricity access.

Moreover, a healthcare provider can benefit from Hormuud Telecom's IVR API by calling patients with health tips or reminders about appointments or medication, and outbreak notifications thereby improving health awareness and adherence among patients, particularly those with low literacy levels or living in remote areas.

The SMS API provided by Hormuud Telecom is widely used and popular among big local banks, NGOs, and money transfer companies in Somalia. The popularity of this service can be attributed to its reliability, speed, and cost-effectiveness, making it an essential tool for businesses and organizations looking to improve their communication with customers.

As evidence of the impact of the company’s API technology on the Somali economy, Mohamed Mohamud (Shiine), a young entrepreneur and founder of SOOMAR -one of Somalia's leading e-commerce companies, stated, "This type of e-commerce enterprise would not have been possible without Hormuud Telecom's mobile money API (EVCplus)”, he also highlighted how the company's mobile money API has enabled innovative solutions for aspiring entrepreneurs and fintech firms.

These are just some examples of how the company’s API and the APIs technology, in general, can take part in the revival and development of the Somali economy. By providing these tools, Hormuud Telecom is enabling innovation and entrepreneurship among businesses and developers who can create solutions that meet the needs and aspirations of Somalis. As Somalia continues its journey toward peace and prosperity.

GAROWE ONLINE