Updated on June 5, 2024

·

Created on October 4, 2018

RapidPro

Open-source

RapidPro is a free, open-source framework designed to send and receive data using basic mobile phones, manage complex workflows, automate analysis and present data in real-time.

Developed By
  1. UNICEF
Tested By
  • Nyaruka
  • UNICEF
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

RapidPro is an open-source software used to power mobile-based services such as data collection. It is a framework designed to send and receive data using basic mobile phones, manage complex workflows, automate analysis, and present data in real-time. It allows for easy building and scaling of mobile services and uses multiple communication methods such as SMS, voice, USSD, and social media

It consists of a set of tools that can be customized to connect citizens and critical services, thus helping governments deliver rapid and vital real-time information and connect communities to lifesaving services.

Target SDGs

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Public Sector Agencies, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

UNICEF in partnership with Nyaruka

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Viamo, SurveyCTO, and Open Data Kit.

Manufacturing/Building Method

N/A

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Accessible through RapidPro software project webpage

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2018, RapidPro has been used by more than 4.5 million users in 50 countries.

Mobile service required

Yes, SMS

Device(s) required

Yes, mobile phones

Additional features required

No

Permanent network connectivity required

No

Type of applications for data collection

SMS, USSD, Voice, Social Media

Level of mobile data coverage needed

N/A

Type of data collected

Text

Usage rate (%)

N/A

Literacy support

No

Languages available

English

Operating system and version

N/A

Power Requirements

N/A

Application of mobile data collection

SMS

Design Specifications

RapidPro enables anybody to set up or modify a complex application without a need for a programmer or technical knowledge on creating software. It is a cloud-hosted software that can be accessed online or hosted on a local server and uses SMS, voice, USSD, and social media to collect and send data. Key features include a flow builder which allows for setting up of interactions needed with users, a messages menu which tracks the messages that a user has sent, contacts for tracking people one is communicating with, campaign tool for setting up special interactions for selected dates, and triggers used to start flows based on user action or schedules. An analytics feature helps to analyze the data that is received and present it in an easy to understand format. The messages sent or received for each contact can be easily accessed. Flows use logic to build interactions that are triggered depending on schedule or input from messages, using a simple drag and drop interface. As an open-source software RapidPro can be installed on a server and connected to a communication gateway for SMS, USSD, and voice calls, or one can use the service from where it is hosted by UNICEF or Nyaruka. It also has an API to allow integrating a user's own solutions or building on top of the data collected using RapidPro.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Nyaruka offers a knowledge base available to anyone using RapidPro

Replacement Components

N/A

Lifecycle

N/A

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Manufacturer specified performance targets include:

  • Building a mobile service through an easy-to-use interface.
  • Reaching users in any language using SMS, voice, social media, and more.
  • Easy scaling of users from just a few to millions.
  • Easy integration with external systems using an API.
  • Simplified analytics to help one understand the data.

Vetted Performance Status

In Zambia, RapidPro was used to facilitate communication between clinics and community health workers to significantly reduce the amount of time between collecting blood samples for early infant diagnosis for HIV and the return of test results to the originating health facility.

Safety

N/A

Complementary Technical Systems

N/A

Academic Research and References

Iribarren S., et al., 2017, Scoping review and evaluation of SMS/text messaging platforms for mHealth projects or clinical interventions, International Journal of Medical Informatics, Volume 101, 2017,  Pages 28-40, ISSN 1386-5056.

Fabian C., 2018, Un-chained: Experiments and Learnings in Crypto at UNICEF. Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization
Volume 12 | Issue 1-2 | Summer-Fall 2018, p.30-45.

Nyaruka Ltd. n.d. “RapidPro.” Rapidpro.Io. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://app.rapidpro.io/

“RapidPro.” n.d. Github.Io. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://rapidpro.github.io/rapidpro/about/

Competitive landscape. n.d. “TextIt – The Leading Bot Platform.” Textit.Com. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://textit.com/

“Goal 9.” n.d. Sdgs.Un.Org. Accessed May 29, 2024. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9

“What EXACTLY Is RapidPro?” n.d. Unicef.Org. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://www.unicef.org/innovation/stories/what-exactly-rapidpro

Fabian, Christopher. 2018. “Un-Chained: Experiments and Learnings in Crypto at UNICEF.” Innovations Technology Governance Globalization 12 (1–2): 30–45. https://direct.mit.edu/itgg/article/12/1-2/30/9842/Un-chained-Experiments-and-Learnings-in-Crypto-at 

“RapidPro.” n.d. Github.Io. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://rapidpro.github.io/rapidpro/

“TextIt.” n.d. TextIt. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://help.textit.com/en/

Compliance with regulations

N/A

Evaluation methods

Tested and evaluated by partner organizations.

Other Information

A video explaining how RapidPro works. Application of RapidPro in Ethiopia.

Leave a Reply

Explore similar solutions

Agriculture

June 4, 2024

Epicollect5

Read Solution

Implemented by

Imperial College London

Agriculture

June 19, 2024

Global Xpress

Read Solution

Implemented by

Inmarsat

Agriculture

June 19, 2024

Internet-in-a-box

Read Solution

Implemented by

Internet-in-a-box

Agriculture

June 22, 2024

SafeMotos

Read Solution

Implemented by

SafeMotos

Agriculture

June 22, 2024

Kibo K150 Bike

Read Solution

Implemented by

KIBO

Agriculture

June 20, 2024

Qlik Sense

Read Solution

Implemented by

Qlik Sense

Agriculture

June 22, 2024

Gokada

Read Solution

Implemented by

Gokada Inc

Agriculture

June 22, 2024

inDriver

Read Solution

Implemented by

Suol Innovations Ltd. (inDrive)

Agriculture

June 22, 2024

Gojek

Read Solution

Implemented by

Gojek Tech

All Solutions

Contribute to E4C's Library of Breakthrough Sustainable Development Technology Solutions

Suggest A Solution

Get more information about Solutions Library and its features.

Learn More

Have thoughts on how we can improve?

Give Us Feedback

Join a global community of changemakers.

Become A Member