In January, 14 Babson MBA students left the Massachusetts campus to attend ‘class’ in Tanzania. The international elective “Tanzania: Business and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa” was created and is taught by management professor Miguel Rivera.
The aim of the course is to provide students with an understanding of the relationship between business opportunities and poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa, taking the perspective of social entrepreneurs, domestic firms, multinationals, development NGOs, and governments.
Africa includes 18 of the 20 poorest countries in the world, yet it is also the continent in which pre-paid phone cards were invented and in which the only multi-country cell phone network was developed.
Tanzania’s population of 39 million, a growth rate of over 7%, a GDP per capita of $1,300, and one of the safest and most stable environments in the region, provided a great example of what it means to do business in poor African countries and the potential impact of entrepreneurial mindsets.
“As a teaching and learning experience, the course exceeded expectations,” said Rivera. “And the impact of those 15 days immersed in Tanzanian life is immeasurable. It showed us possibilities and opportunities for alleviating poverty through entrepreneurship there and throughout the world.”
At a wrap-up session back on campus, students will present recommendations around specific issues or opportunities identified during the visits. Together, they provide an understanding of what it means to do business in a poor environment and of the impact of both small- and large-scale business activities on poverty.
On Wednesday, February 18, 1:00-2:15 p.m., faculty and students will present a roundtable discussion with Q & A, on the first of a series of spring presentations on Africa. Professor Rivera will speak on the Tanzanian course.
The students were from the 2-year, 1-year, and evening MBA programs and included James Carpenter, Laura Carraway, Eric Crawley, Mark Higgins, Tim Igo, Matthew Keigan, Bhavna Lal, Ryan Lynch, Neil Martelle, Benjamin Mohr, Alberto Querejeta, Adam Schreiner, Timothy Seamans, and Erik Servies.
Msomaji
14 comments:
It is true that pre-paid card are higher purchase price for the phone. I was in tanzania last year and I can't believe on how the mobile phone stealing money from our people by using pre-paid card system.
Here in the U S, pre-paid cards are designed for those with bad credit so they can pay price for their mistake.
Because money must be spent on a prepaid phone card in advance of its use, there is always a possibility that the full amount in the prepaid account may never be used. That is why these students are wondering that in africa most mobile phone are pre paid card system because they know how customers are over charged
Ngonyani
NY
In Tanzania mobile phone companies are charging customers as much as they can for the phone calls they make. I can't believe how these companies using our people. My god it is unfair. Our government need to step in to help my brother and sisters.
As a customer, you usually have a higher cost per minute than you will get from a long term contract plan. I know tanzanians do not understand this, but even those who understand end up on loosing because they have no options.
Joe
Wichita, ks
Vodacom, tigo, na makampuni yote ya simu za mkononi tanzania ni wezi watupu wanachofanya ni kuwadanganya watanzania kwa kuwapatia zawadi za magari mabovu huku wakiwaibia kama hawana akili nzuri. Kweli nimesoma hayo maelezo ya hawa wanafunzi wanashangaa kuona nchi kama tanzania utaratibu wa simu za mikononi ni pre paid.
Huu ni wizi wa azalani kwa wananchi. Naomba serikali yetu iwawekee vikwazo hawa jamaa wa simu za mkononi hili kuwaokoa ndugu zetu wasiendelee kuibiwa mchana kutwa.
Jk, sikia kilio chetu
Rashid
Kinondoni
Kwanza napenda kuwapongeza waanzilishi wa huu mtandao, pili nawapongeza wote walioongelea hili swala simu za mkononi tanzania. Mimi sijawai kuona wizi wa kumuibia wazi wazi mtu eti kwa vile hana njia ya kujitetea. Simu za mkononi bongo wanawaibia wananchi wetu bila huruma. Hizi kampuni zingekuwa ni za wazawa wasingufanya hivyo hata kidogo maana hii nikukomoa sio kuiba.
mTanzania
Marekani
In the United states of America--If you have bad credit or an unpaid old bill you might not be able to get a contract phone. This means pre paid phone is for those who have no options. They charge them as much as they want too.
Tanzania nchi yetu inakwamishwa na mambo mengi lakini hili swala la simu inabidi serikali yetu iwaokoe wananchi wake kutoka kwenye huu wizi wa mchana. Mtu anaibiwa akijiona
Brandy
Jefferson City
If you are buying the phone for emergencies only, then the prepaid cellular phone may save you more money in the long run. So my question is tanzanians are buying their phones for emergrncy only because pre paid phones are so dame expensive to keep.
Jackson
Texas
Also prepaid phone services is a way of learning about your usage patterns before committing to a long-term monthly billing wireless contract.
There is no way you can keep this service for a long time because the servive provider company use the system to make 400% profit
Chris
London
You can buy the airtime as you need it (with some exceptions). And you do not have to pay a deposit for service, because the phone company itself know that you can not afford to keep the service
It is five times expensive than the conttacted service
Most wireless service is sold on month-to-month or one-, two- or three-year contracts, with a monthly fixed cost that includes a set amount of local calling, but in tanzania is only pre-paid, why that???
Dave
Missouri
U S A
Hawa jamaa wanakaa mda gani. Ningependa kukutana nao nijue wao wanamtazamo gani kuhusu taifa letu. Naomba aliyetuma hii kama anajibu basi atume hapa au jkaling2001@yahoo.com
Justin Kalinga
Kijitonyama
DAR
Kweli bongo makapuni ya simu za mikononi yakomoa ndugu zetu kinyama. Serikali tunaomba waokoe wananchi wetu.
HIVI HAWA JAMAA WAMEONGELEA AINA GANI YA SIMU?
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