Mobile Tech Empowering African Workforce

Africa is beginning to use mobile tech to push the growth of organizations. HR softwares, which includes HCM and other financial support applications, can be accessed using a hand-held device.

FREMONT, CA: The African tech ecosystem in recent years has grown exponentially. Businesses in the region are including payroll and benefits in their services as the African workforce is in dire need of modern and secure financial support.

African workforces utilize technology differently, and companies are beginning to grow as more individuals are starting to adopt mobile technology in their day-to-day lives. As desktops are not widely used, the solutions are created for mobile devices, and this approach aligns with the requirements of deskless workers.

Improving Employee Experience

Companies often noticed that providing the payslip by email brought about challenges, as workers were not collecting their payslips through their emails. Similarly, kiosks and self-service did not work either. After business leaders realized that workers paid attention to their text messages, they decided to change the delivery method of the payslips to texts. After an employee accepts the connection, the messaging service can be extended and additional features can be added, such as demand pay and employee communication as well.

Text-based Knowledge-building Platforms

Companies have also built SMS knowledge-building platforms that aid organizations to deliver evaluation, learning, self-service, and growth analytics, to help keep employees engaged and motivated. These platforms also help companies train new employees through text messages and ascertain they have the necessary information before commencing their work. These lessons are typically made available at all times, such that they can be accessed seamlessly, providing learning flexibility to employees.

HCM Suites

Generally, human capital management (HCM) is a combination of a suite of technologies that helps employers to manage their employees. They are typically focused on helping organizations with their worldwide workforce, and function under the assumption that their clients have a payroll in place.

HCM suites in Africa, however, are established differently. The purpose of HCM suites is to serve local and global customers, including payroll. Once a company is established in one country, it can include payroll to expand into other countries, as core HR and payroll are a packaged deal, and according to customer needs, integrating payroll in the HCM suite is implied.

Most organizations in Africa are now focusing on streamlining their payment processes by leveraging new technologies. They often partner with accountants, banks, and fintechs, to bring financial services to their client’s workforces, irrespective of the physical location of the employee.

Salary Payments and EWA Solutions

As there is limited access to banking services in Africa, accessing salary after employees have earned it, is important in the sub-continent. As a result, financial services are incorporated into HCM solutions, and a growing list of companies provide flexible payment (EWA) solutions as well. EWA allows workers to access a part of the money they have earned, such that they can avoid collecting debt and making interest payments.