Blackdot Limited was contracted by Better World Systems (Bewsys), a leading provider of social protection and digital impact solutions, to handle Public Relations for the East Africa launch of their flagship beneficiary management platform, Alleviate.

The collaboration leveraged Blackdot’s expertise in strategic media relations, earned media placements, and event amplification to generate visibility for this tech-for-good initiative in Kenya and the broader East African region.

Background on Bewsys and Alleviate

Bewsys (Better World Systems) is a US-based public benefit corporation (with roots in Ghana and operations in East Africa) specializing in innovative software solutions for governments, NGOs, international development organizations, and corporates. The company has impacted over 10 million lives across 60+ countries through digital tools that enhance transparency, efficiency, and outcomes in social protection, agriculture, education, and regulatory sectors.

Alleviate is a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) beneficiary management system designed to:

• Consolidate critical services onto a single unified digital platform.
• Streamline beneficiary data capture, verification, program monitoring, and impact reporting.
• Enable faster rollout of social assistance programs (e.g., cash transfers, subsidies, public works, health/education support).
• Support data-driven decision-making, donor reporting, and collaboration among stakeholders.
• Address inefficiencies in traditional systems by offering rapid implementation, reduced delays, and better beneficiary experiences.

The East Africa launch aligned with regional goals, including Kenya’s vision for universal social protection by 2030, and positioned Alleviate as a transformative tool in a sector serving vulnerable populations amid growing demand for digital innovation in humanitarian and development work.

Objectives of the PR Campaign

Blackdot’s PR mandate focused on:

• Generating high-visibility earned media coverage in business, tech, development, and mainstream outlets.
• Positioning Bewsys and Alleviate as innovative leaders in social protection technology.
• Driving awareness and interest among target stakeholders: government agencies, NGOs, international development partners, corporates (for CSR), and tech integrators.
• Amplifying the launch event to build credibility, foster partnerships, and highlight real-world impact.
• Ensuring consistent messaging around “purposeful impact,” efficiency, transparency, and community empowerment.

Pre-Event Phase (Planning & Build-Up)

Blackdot worked closely with Bewsys’ team (including Marketing Director Harriet Mate-Kole) on strategic PR planning:

• Crafted key messages, press releases, and pitch angles emphasizing Alleviate’s SaaS advantages, research-backed design (from 60 countries), and potential to accelerate social programs.
• Targeted media outreach to Kenyan and regional outlets in business (e.g., Business Daily), mainstream (e.g., Nation), and development-focused platforms.
• Coordinated pre-launch teasers, stakeholder invitations, and background briefings to build anticipation.
• Supported event logistics indirectly through promotional alignment, ensuring media attendance and coverage readiness.

This phase ensured the narrative framed the launch as a milestone for digital transformation in East Africa’s social protection landscape.

During the Event (August 10/16, 2023 – Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi)

The official launch took place at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, described as a “Digital Innovation and Partnerships” event. It brought together industry leaders, stakeholders, experts, and decision-makers.

Key Highlights:

• Speakers and Agenda:
  • Welcome address by Ulrich Gros (Non-Executive Director).
  • Comprehensive product overview by Harriet Mate-Kole (Marketing Director).
  • Keynote insights from Robert Okine (CEO & Founder), who stressed intentionality in social impact, the need for SaaS adoption to avoid delays, and calls for collaboration.
  • Additional perspectives from guests such as Omondi Otieno (Global Director, CHASP Advisory) and Lucy Muigai (CEO, B Lab Africa) on social issues and innovation.
• Demonstrations and Discussions: Showcasing Alleviate’s features for beneficiary management, impact tracking, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Atmosphere: Professional, forward-looking gathering focused on partnerships and tangible solutions for governments, NGOs, and corporates.

Blackdot’s PR support helped secure media presence and ensured real-time coverage opportunities during the event.

Post-Event Phase (Amplification & Coverage)

Blackdot drove sustained visibility through targeted follow-ups, recaps, and relationship management with journalists.

Earned Media Outcomes:

• Strong placements in key outlets, including:
  • Business Daily Africa (sponsored feature detailing the platform and quotes).
  • Nation Media Group / Nation.africa (brand book coverage calling Alleviate a “technological marvel”).
  • Khusoko and other development-focused sites.
  • Bewsys’ own resources page and social channels amplified the coverage.
• Coverage highlighted Alleviate’s potential to redefine beneficiary experiences, support Kenya’s social protection goals, and enable faster, more transparent program delivery.
• Quotes from CEO Robert Okine and the team were prominently featured, reinforcing messages of impact and urgency.

Additional Impact:

• Enhanced Bewsys’ regional profile and opened doors for partnerships.
• Generated ongoing interest from potential adopters in government, NGOs, and CSR spaces.
• Contributed to Bewsys’ narrative as a pioneer in social protection technology.

Challenges and Blackdot’s Approach

• Sector Complexity: Social protection involves technical, policy, and humanitarian angles. Blackdot translated these into accessible, compelling stories for general and specialized media.
• Competitive Landscape: Differentiating a new SaaS tool in East Africa required emphasizing proven global impact and local relevance.
• Measurement: Focused on quality placements, message pull-through, and stakeholder engagement rather than volume alone.

Blackdot delivered a professional, integrated PR effort that complemented the high-profile venue and speaker lineup.

Overall Results and Impact

The PR campaign successfully elevated the Alleviate launch, resulting in positive, widespread media coverage that amplified Bewsys’ thought leadership in digital social protection. Key achievements:

• Increased visibility for Alleviate as a game-changing platform tailored for East Africa.
• Strengthened Bewsys’ reputation among development stakeholders.
• Supported long-term goals of adoption and collaboration, aligning with Bewsys’ mission to deliver purposeful, data-driven impact.

This project demonstrates Blackdot Limited’s capability in executing targeted PR for tech-for-good solutions, building on their experience with clients like Trace Eastern Africa and flagship events such as the 360 Degree Woman Festival. The collaboration helped bridge innovative technology with real humanitarian needs in a credible, impactful way.