Rural Market Detection Using CDR Data
MASAE, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), pioneered the use of mobile operator Call Data Record (CDR) data to detect and map rural markets in Uganda, Madagascar, and Tanzania. The objective was to support vaccination and development programmes by providing accurate, up-to-date information on rural population gatherings.
Geography
Services
Technologies
Regions
Why This Matters
Identifying rural markets and population centres is vital for delivering health, financial, and development services. Traditional data sources are often outdated or incomplete, especially in remote areas. CDR data offers a dynamic, scalable solution for mapping human activity and targeting interventions.
Our Approach
Data Science:
Analysed anonymised mobile phone data to detect patterns of movement and identify rural market locations.Innovative Methodology:
Developed new techniques for using telecom data to inform development planning and resource allocation.Product & Services:
Provided actionable insights to partners for more effective programme delivery.
Results and Impact
The approach enabled partners to better target services, optimise outreach, and improve outcomes for rural communities in East Africa.
