On this International Women’s Day, we are proud to shine a light on Ndeye Amy Kébé, Founder & CEO of Jokalante, a social enterprise created with the support of Practical Action. Jokalante – which means “facilitating dialogue” in Wolof – has been transforming lives in Senegal since its launch in 2016 by connecting organisations with hard-to-reach communities and empowering them with inclusive and innovative communication tools.
Innovation for Inclusion
Founded in 2016, Jokalante, meaning “facilitating dialogue” in Wolof, connects organisations with their audiences, enabling more inclusive and effective decision-making, regardless of language or location. Their cloud-based Saas (Software as a Service) platform provides multiple communication channels (including voice, SMS, USSD, and IVR), enabling interactive engagement. It is further strengthened by community radio partnerships and robust data collection services.
A Partnership for Change
Jokalante’s collaboration with Practical Action began early in its journey. Together, they formed a consortium to respond to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) program call, leading to the launch of the ‘Enhancing Flood Resilience through Improved Early Warning Systems” project. This initiative delivers real-time weather alerts to vulnerable communities in Thies Nord and Thies Est, significantly enhancing local climate resilience.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Jokalante’s user-centric platform addresses the needs of communities with low literacy levels by using voice-based communication. Weather alerts are translated into Wolof and other local languages and delivered through simple, understandable audio messages. Participants receive phone calls where they hear crucial climate information in their native language, making vital data accessible to all.
Impacting Lives
The collaboration with Practical Action has had tangible impacts. Post-rainy season surveys revealed that 70% of respondents reported reduced material losses due to timely weather alerts provided by the project. This proactive approach helps communities prepare and respond more effectively to climate risks.
Women play a pivotal role in promoting innovative solutions for sustainable development. Through projects like Tekki Jiggen, Jokalante provides mobile-based training in local languages, strengthening women’s financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills. This empowers them to formalise their economic activities and become active contributors to local economies.
“To all the women driving positive change in their communities: your determination, creativity, and resilience are the foundation of a more inclusive and sustainable future. At Jokalante, we believe in your power to transform lives. Keep innovating, inspiring, and building a better world—your impact is invaluable.” — Ndeye Amy Kebe.
Looking ahead, Jokalante envisions a future of deepened collaboration with Practical Action, expanding innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Together, they plan to enhance the dissemination of climate information and support farmers through optimised digital tools. By exploring new technologies like artificial intelligence, they aim to personalise messaging and improve beneficiary feedback analysis, scaling their impact across West Africa.
Let’s continue to innovate, inspire, and build a better world together. Happy International Women’s Day!