At Gladly Network, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of customer insights platforms in developing countries.
These tools are changing the game for businesses and governments, helping them make smarter decisions, boost economic growth, and enhance service delivery.
Our platform is tailored specifically for emerging markets, offering features like multilingual support and offline capabilities to meet diverse needs.
In this post, we’ll dive into how customer insights transform economies and highlight some inspiring success stories from Ghana, India, and Peru.
How Customer Insights Transform Developing Economies
Boosting Local Business Competitiveness
Customer insights reshape economies in developing countries, creating opportunities for growth and innovation. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries often struggle to compete with larger, more established firms. Customer insights platforms help improve SMEs’ access to finance and find innovative solutions to unlock sources of capital.
Access to data is just one part of the equation. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow, financial literacy and actionable customer insights need to work together.
Tools that make it easier to collect customer feedback through SMS, QR codes, NFC, or email are becoming increasingly valuable across the continent. Platforms that automate reviews, send real-time notifications, and track customer satisfaction are helping businesses respond more effectively and stay connected to the people they serve.
When SMEs can gather and act on feedback with less friction, they improve service quality, strengthen operations, and create more opportunities for local employment and community development. This steady flow of information contributes to long-term economic growth and supports entrepreneurs working to build stronger futures.
A World Bank study found that SMEs using data analytics tools increased their revenue by an average of 20% compared to those that didn’t. These platforms allow businesses to tailor their products and services to meet local needs, ultimately driving economic growth.
Enhancing Public Sector Efficiency
Developing countries’ governments harness customer insights’ power to improve service delivery. Public agencies analyze citizen feedback and usage patterns to identify bottlenecks and streamline processes.
The United Nations Development Programme reports that data-driven governance initiatives led to a 30% reduction in wait times for public services in several African countries. This improved efficiency benefits citizens and frees up resources for other development priorities.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Customer insights platforms play a significant role in bridging the digital divide in developing countries. These platforms provide accessible, user-friendly tools that enable even small businesses in remote areas to leverage data for decision-making.
The International Telecommunication Union reports that mobile internet adoption in developing countries grew from 45% in 2017 to 55% in 2022. This increased connectivity (combined with affordable customer insights tools) creates new opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to compete in the global marketplace.
Empowering Data-Driven Agriculture
In developing countries, agriculture often forms the backbone of the economy. Customer insights platforms revolutionize this sector by providing farmers with valuable data on weather patterns, market prices, and crop yields.
A study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found that farmers using data-driven insights increased their crop yields by up to 25%. These platforms help farmers make informed decisions about planting times, irrigation, and pest control (leading to improved food security and increased income).
Transforming Healthcare Delivery
Customer insights platforms transform healthcare delivery in developing countries. These tools help healthcare providers analyze patient data, track disease outbreaks, and optimize resource allocation.
The World Health Organization reports that data-driven healthcare initiatives reduced maternal mortality rates by 20% in several Southeast Asian countries. As customer insights platforms continue to evolve, they will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of developing economies across various sectors.
The Customer Insights Platform That Supports Developing Countries
At Gladly Network, our mission is simple: to bless lives. That’s why we’ve partnered with Zola, The Customer Insights Platform That Supports Developing Countries , to empower organizations with the tools they need to better understand and serve their communities.
Together, we’re enabling fast, flexible, and inclusive ways to collect and act on feedback — no matter where users are or what technology they have access to.
Inclusive Tools for Real-World Challenges
Zola makes it easy for any business to start gathering insights — even those operating in low-tech environments. Its tools work across multiple channels and require minimal setup.
-
Feedback collection via SMS, QR codes, NFC, or email
-
No apps or logins are required for customers
-
Accessible on both smartphones and basic mobile phones
Affordable and Scalable for Growing Businesses
Zola was built with small and medium businesses in mind, offering flexible options that grow with your needs.
-
Tiered pricing that fits lean budgets
-
Designed for small teams with limited resources
-
Automation features reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency
Built for Low-Connectivity Environments
In regions where internet access is unreliable, Zola ensures that insight gathering doesn’t stop.
-
Full offline functionality to collect feedback without internet
-
Data syncs automatically when connectivity is restored
-
Ideal for rural or remote businesses and service providers
Real-Time Alerts and Clear Analytics
Zola goes beyond basic survey tools — it’s a platform that helps you act quickly and improve continuously.
-
Instant notifications for feedback that requires attention
-
Automated workflows for follow-ups and performance tracking
-
Visual dashboards to monitor trends and customer sentiment
Committed to Social Impact and Privacy
Zola empowers small businesses to grow — and communities to thrive. Every insight helps strengthen services, create jobs, and drive long-term improvement.
-
Helps build trust and loyalty through better service
-
Supports economic growth and local employment
-
Complies with international data privacy standards, including GDPR
As we highlight the transformative power of customer insights across developing markets, our partnership with Zola ensures that even the most underserved communities can participate in — and benefit from — the data-driven future.
In the next section, we’ll explore real-world stories of how platforms like Zola are creating measurable impact for small businesses, public agencies, and cooperatives across the globe.
Real-World Impact Stories
Ghanaian Retailer Boosts Sales with Customer Insights
In Accra, Ghana, TechConnect (a small electronics retailer) faced stiff competition from larger chains. The implementation of a customer insights platform provided valuable data on customer preferences and buying patterns. This information allowed TechConnect to optimize their inventory, tailor their marketing efforts, and improve customer service.
TechConnect saw a 30% increase in sales within six months. The owner, Kwame Mensah, attributes this success to the platform’s ability to help them understand their customers better. “We now stock products our customers want, and our targeted promotions bring in more foot traffic,” Mensah explains.
Indian Government Agency Streamlines Citizen Services
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in India used a customer insights platform to improve its citizen services. The MCD identified bottlenecks in their processes and areas where citizens were most dissatisfied through the analysis of feedback and service usage data.
The MCD implemented changes such as a streamlined process for obtaining birth certificates and created a mobile app for reporting local issues. As a result, the average wait time for services decreased by 40%, and citizen satisfaction ratings improved by 60% (according to a survey conducted by the Delhi government).
Peruvian Agricultural Cooperative Optimizes Supply Chain
In the Andean region of Peru, the Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera La Florida used a customer insights platform to optimize their coffee supply chain. The cooperative made more informed decisions about harvesting, processing, and shipping their coffee beans through the analysis of data on weather patterns, market prices, and transportation logistics.
The results were significant: a 25% reduction in post-harvest losses and a 15% increase in the average price received for their coffee. These improvements directly benefited the 1,500 small-scale farmers who are members of the cooperative.
Small Business Success in Indonesia
A family-owned batik fabric shop in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, adopted a customer insights platform to understand their customers’ preferences better. The shop owners used the data to create personalized marketing campaigns and adjust their product offerings.
This data-driven approach resulted in a 40% increase in repeat customers and a 20% boost in overall sales within three months. The success of this small business demonstrates the power of customer insights for even the smallest enterprises in developing countries.
Healthcare Improvement in Rural Kenya
A community health center in rural Kenya implemented a customer insights platform to track patient feedback and health outcomes. The center used this data to identify areas for improvement in their services and allocate resources more effectively.
The results were impressive: patient satisfaction scores increased by 50%, and the center saw a 30% reduction in wait times for non-emergency services. This case study highlights the potential of customer insights to transform healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings.
Final Thoughts
Customer insights platforms transform developing economies, empowering businesses and improving public services. From Ghana to India and Peru, these tools drive growth, enhance efficiency, and create opportunities for innovation across sectors.
The success stories we shared demonstrate the tangible benefits of leveraging customer insights. Small businesses compete more effectively, government agencies improve service delivery, and entire industries optimize their operations. These improvements lead to increased revenues, better resource allocation, and improved quality of life for citizens in developing countries.
