Admin l Thursday, September 02, 2021
How successful Apps in Africa is making lives easier
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – In today’s World, Apps have become more than a nice to have; they’re essential tools that help us communicate, shop, organise our lives, play, and even work. They have made it possible for us to conveniently connect with loved ones all over the World without limitations and keep up to date with what is happening around us.
When it comes to developing these Apps, it’s not only about coming up with a great idea, but also about having a devoted team that is willing to put time and effort behind perfecting it. HUAWEI is celebrating the developers behind the innovative Apps that enhance our lives through its Apps UP contest. The competition is open to any developers who have created an App integrated with HMS Core.
The global competition is held across five regions: the Middle East & Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and China. HUAWEI is offering various prizes totalling US$1 million as prize money for the competition.
US$200,000 will be allocated for the following award winners in Middle East and Africa:
- Best Application Award
- Best Game Award
- Most Social Impact Award
- Best HMS Core Innovation Award
- All-Scenario Coverage Award
- Excellent Student Award
- Starlight Creative Award, and
- Honourable Mention Award.
So if you’re an aspiring or existing developer who is ready to make your mark then enter the competition today by clicking here. Register now as entries close on 5 September 2021.
For inspiration, we are sharing a few of the most popular and successful Apps on HUAWEI AppGallery:My Fuel Rewards ZA App (MFRZA)
The My Fuel Rewards ZA App helps users get the most out of their fuel spend.
It includes information on cash rewards that users pick up with every swipe they make at a Shell garage as well as the number of litres swiped. The App was developed locally and through it many South Africans have been able to maintain visibility over their cash rewards, promoting smart spending.
Gauntlet is a retro, mobile game, which gives players a really cool 1980s nostalgic gaming experience. It was inspired by our original childhood favourite games and takes players on a mission in a super jet to destroy evil alien invaders. With fast-paced action, players need quick reflexes to accomplish the tagline of the game, which is “be the hero that mankind needs”.
According to Gauntlet app developer Zane Espin, through attending The Rage EXPO, he found out about Huawei’s continued support of independent game and app developers, and learnt about the Apps Up competition. “I spent every free moment working on the game to be ready for the contest. I continued to polish and integrate it with the Huawei mobile Services and learnt even more about software development through the help of the Huawei local support team.”
Gauntlet was one of the winners in last year’s Apps UP contest, picking up the Best Game Award. “Watching my game be revealed as one of the Best Game winners was such a surreal experience. I still get goosebumps when I watch the video. I feel honoured and grateful that there are so many players enjoying my game and it’s getting the necessary exposure. As a solo developer, I am now even more confident in bringing even greater experiences into the hands of players,” he highlights.
This news site is available in many countries in Africa such as Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. The international news site was first launched in Nigeria and Kenya in 2018 and then expanded to other markets like Egypt, South Africa, and Ghana in 2019. Since launch, the platform has become one of the main news sources in the African region, with roughly 10 000 Opera News Hub stories being churned out every day and it currently boasts over 200 million monthly users. The platform also provides writers with an opportunity to earn a living. Many upcoming writers use the platform to share stories on what’s happening around them.
Gone are the days when we had to buy a newspaper to have access to the latest breaking news. Nor do we have to log into a media publication. And, while social media also carries news, a trusted source is the number one go-to for most people seeking information. News24, which was formed in 1998, is one of the most reliable news sources in the country and also has an App. This App provides users with 24/7 access to the latest news and features, breaking news, sport, business and weather.
Advertisement
In South Africa, struggling with knowing when you will have electricity has become the norm. The Load Shedding Notifier App has become popular for its convenience and ability to notify the user before loadshedding becomes implemented in their area.
The App simply monitors the current Eskom load shedding status and notifies the user to prepare for looming power cuts. It also updates and shares tips with users on ways to cut down on their electricity usage.
The App was one of the winners in last year’s Apps UP contest, picking up an Honourable Mention Award.
Mr D Food is a pioneer in the delivery of meals from restaurants to customers in South Africa. It has grown in leaps and bounds since its launch in 1992. The App was voted SA’s coolest food delivery brand in the Sunday Times Gen Next Awards and has had over two million downloads, with more than 700 000 monthly active users.
With a record of delivering food in under 40 minutes, Mr D Food leverages machine learning to better predict food preparation times based on granular historic data for a seamless experience. This has worked well towards its customer experience and satisfaction ratings, ultimately leading to ongoing customer loyalty.
Alibaba is arguably the biggest e- commerce company in the world.
According to the ecommerce App, trading internationally, even small businesses can grow, creating more job opportunities and economic growth even in Africa. Young people facing the challenge of unemployment are utilising it to make money and provide for their families. The App provides the user with access to a wide selection of products from verified suppliers from across the globe.
This is one App that showcases the capabilities of the digital economy and, as a result, many enterprises are starting to sell their most popular products, which include coffee and handicrafts, to global clients through this online marketplace.
Jumia Online Shopping has grown to become a favourite for shoppers in Nigeria. The App has topped the charts and is the most downloaded in the country, but it is also available in 10 other countries in Africa, easily connecting sellers to consumers with integrated logistics and digital payment services. Users are able to follow their favourite sellers and get access to exclusive App-only deals and, thanks to Jumia’s marketplace logistics arm, shipments and deliveries are reliable and automated.
Apps are constantly evolving, and as new successful ones enter the market it’s important to celebrate them and recognise their contributions. They’ve become so abundant that it’s difficult to imagine a world without them. Individuals are encouraged to participate in the Huawei Apps UP contest by clicking here.
The Top 20 apps will be shortlisted in each region. They will then be made available to the public to download and vote for their favourites on the competition’s official website or HUAWEI AppGallery before making their way to the finals in October.
Leave a comment
