Finnish company’s digital platform helps promote development in Africa

Neuvo Oy Global offers a digital platform to developing countries that helps prevent issues such as violence against women. Support from Finnpartnership has helped open doors in Kenya and Tunisia.

Digital platforms are used in nearly every aspect of life and are increasingly being utilised to promote development and sustainability. Based on this, the Finnish software company Neuvo Oy Global has developed a digital platform that, according to entrepreneur Tuomas Nyman, is suitable for a wide range of applications.

“Our goal is to make the solution available to a wider range of organisations promoting development. Depending on the use case, various smart tools can be flexibly integrated into the digital platform. Ensuring a high level of data security and privacy is also essential,” Nyman explains.

Collaboration with Nokia and UN Women

Through a collaboration between UN Women, the UN’s gender equality organisation, and the technology company Nokia, Neuvo has been able to establish partnerships in developing countries. The goal is to improve women’s digital skills, employment opportunities, and safety in developing countries. “Nokia has identified companies whose solutions could help achieve these goals,” Nyman explains.

Nokia and UN Women became interested in Neuvo’s digital platform, which could be used as a tool in programmes related to the prevention of gender-based violence. The collaboration began in Kenya, but at Nokia’s request, the solution was expanded to the Middle East and North Africa region.

The furthest progress has been made in Tunisia. There, Neuvo has engaged in discussions with local authorities about a digital application that helps prevent violence against women and improve support for victims. “Nokia and UN Women have helped us get to the right tables and present our solution,” Nyman says.

In Tunisia, Neuvo has participated in a roundtable discussion on the topic, attended by representatives from Tunisian authorities, civil society, the private sector, and the Finnish Embassy. “Local authorities are interested in implementing the solution. Discussions on matters such as financing are currently underway.”

Finnpartnership’s funding helped open doors

Tuomas Nyman says that in Kenya and Tunisia, building relations with international organisations and local actors has been greatly aided by Finnpartnership’s Business Partnership Support for piloting projects with ODA-eligible international organisations, which offers Finnish companies pathways to international development cooperation projects.

With Finnpartnership’s financial grant of EUR 15,000–400,000, a company can carry out a pilot project in collaboration with, for example, the UN, the EU, development banks, or international organisations. “Without Finnpartnership’s support, we would never have gotten this far. The support has helped us open the door to cooperation with developing countries.”

Neuvo Oy Global has used Finnpartnership’s financial grant, for example, for business trips to meet potential partners. Nyman emphasises that a Finnish company cannot build trusting partnerships from home. It is essential to go on-site and meet people face-to-face. “The most important thing is to listen carefully to local partners. Only they can tell you what kind of digital solution actually works in the local operating environment.”

Getting started requires patience

In addition to UN Women and Nokia, Neuvo has collaborated with the Family Federation of Finland and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in Malawi and Ethiopia. Together with these organisations, the company implemented a pilot project related to sexual and reproductive health, testing an AI-based application for sharing information and advice.

“Kenya and Tunisia have given us valuable experience in how to collaborate with international organisations and local actors. Gaining access requires, above all, a long-term perspective and patience. Every actor has their own operating models that must be followed.”

In Tuomas Nyman’s view, one of the biggest challenges is convincing decision-makers that digital solutions are truly beneficial for promoting development. This must be explained clearly even to those who may not have the latest information on the possibilities of rapidly evolving technology.