For Africa’s Talking Women in Technology Community, the hackathon on Wednesday, the 26th was the best way to end the month of April. That month we set out to empower ladies to use APIs in their development.What are APIs? What are the types? How are they used and what are the benefits?These and more were some of the questions that were answered during the morning debrief session where Africa’s Talking WIT community leads guided the ladies on demystifying the concept of APIs, and an overview of how to get started with Africa’s Talking APIs. As a result, the attendees built 7 scalable solutions in teams of a maximum of 5 which are explained as follows:1. Chama SolutionAPIs used: SMSThis solution was built for group savings teams (chamas) which was developed in Django programming language and PostgreSQL for the database, with the Africa’s Talking bulk SMS API consumed.The information sent via SMS included details on when, how to contribute to the chama, as well as locations for the chama meetings.2. She’s SalamaAPIs used: USSDThe solution was built with the target audience being girls aged 15 and below. The solution was to empower the girls to speak up on sexual assault crimes that they may face by being able to report the incidences via USSD by dialing the service code and following the instructions to report the cases discretely and input a number of a trusted friend/family member who is to receive their message and go to their aid.3. Baby BluesAPIs used: USSD, SMS, VoiceThe solution was built for those affected by postpartum depression.The solution works by having the users dial a USSD with options that enable them to either get information on USSD, seek help from professionals, or call a third party for support.The solution also involved an interface for the users to easily communicate and share their struggles with other users to avoid feeling lonely and feel like part of the community.4. Charitable CircleAPIs used: USSD, SMSThe solution was built with the target audience of users who wish to contribute items to charity but do not know how.By dialing a USSD service code, the users can define their name and a location for the items to be collected from.Upon completion, the user receives an SMS confirming that their request for collection has been received and the item will be collected.5. Daisy DaughtersAPIs used: USSDThe solution used Africa’s Talking USSD to select options from either reporting, learning or other services with regards to anti-FGM.Report: Users can report FGM incidences that have occurred.Learn: Users select this option to gain more information on the FGM practice and its harmful effects.Other services: Users can select this option to speak directly to a case officer on an FGM-related matter.6. Bumble BeeAPIs used: USSDThis solution consumed Africa’s Talking USSD API in creating a platform where users can dial in in order to receive updates on diabetes.The solution is bilingual, hence, users can select the language of their choice. The updates are received via SMS, hence, advising diabetes patients by giving tips on diabetes control and facts, hence, reducing the need for ‘Dr. Google’.7. Cycle TrackerAPIs used: SMSThis solution offered users details on their menstrual cycle via SMS.This was done by having the users enter their last cycle date and the next date on a web interface, after which they would receive an SMS with details on their fertility window, ovulation days and cycle, eliminating the need to guess such details.It is always a delight to build innovative solutions with the ladies in the community. Join us in the next one as we continue hacking and empowering women in the community- every last Wednesday of the month, same time, same place.

Africa’s Talking is a Pan-African tech company that works on helping developers in Africa make their ideas come to life with ease. We do this by giving them access to communication infrastructure through easy-to-use APIs.Want to explore our APIs? Learn more about us, reach us at info@africastalking.com and join the conversation on Slack!