Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a leading producer of copper and cobalt located in the DRC’s Lualaba province, has partnered with Vodacom Business and Standard Bank to roll out the Umoja App digital workplace tool.

In a first-of-its-kind project for the country, the tool will provide employees with real-time information, including health & safety updates, HR and payroll details, training, and employee feedback channels.

The app is a welcome development for employers and employees who have continued to struggle with access to the internet.

According to the World Bank, internet penetration in the DRC is around 17%.

Ndomba Tshiendela, Acting Commercial Director at KCC, said, “Our frontline full-time employees are the bedrock of our operation and play a critical role in the success of our business. However, it has to date been challenging to provide them with access to digital workplace solutions. Through this partnership, all KCC employees will now receive smartphones with data bundles through which they can access the Umoja app. This will better connect them to the rest of the business and fosters a culture of inclusivity, engagement, and collaboration across our operations.”

The KCC says the app will be made available as a digital portal for employee health and safety guides, Human Resources self-servicing, employee feedback, online training, medical checks, and security updates – among others.

Standard Bank’s OneHub

The app leverages the administrative capabilities of Standard Bank’s OneHub platform, which consolidates into a single, easily accessible location the entire suite of digital solutions offered by the bank.

Jonathan Lamb, Head: Platform Business, Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Bank Group, added: “As a bank committed to Africa and her people, this partnership supports our mission of driving positive, sustainable, and truly embedded technological growth across the continent. We continue to seek meaningful collaborations that can help develop and deliver the infrastructure needed for a digitally inclusive and connected continent.”

The core capability for the app was developed and is managed by Wyzetalk, leaders in digital employee engagement for frontline workers. Vodacom Business facilitated the partnership with Wyzetalk, Standard Bank and KCC and the customisation of this solution to become the Umoja app.

Vodacom Business also developed the employee engagement solution for the app and provided smartphones as well as mobile data from which the app will run. The app offers new opportunities for two-way communication in real-time. To minimise the energy needed to charge the smartphones, solar charging devices are being provided to KCC’s full-time employees.

“Vodacom has committed to improving the lives of the next 100 million customers. One way we’re doing this is through solutions like Umoja, which not only connects frontline employees to the internet, but also connects them to the larger business and critical information needed to do their jobs,” said William Mzimba, Chief Officer of Vodacom Business.