Cairo's streets get a makeover, beginning with sponsored kiosks

While the Egyptian government might be spending the most effort (and EGP) to beautify the streets of Cairo, private entities are also getting in on the action. Tatweer, a social enterprise, is preparing to launch its first ever project, Kiosk Uplift. They aim to install 600 new kiosks over the next four years, modernizing the aesthetic of Cairo’s streets, as well as working within a new, unified network for retail kiosks.

The project seeks to pay for the kiosks – and monetize – by selling advertisements on the kiosks to sponsors. Coca Cola and Red Bull have already signed onto the project. The team expects the shiny logos to increase the kiosk’s overall profits.

The new kiosks will also feature flat-screen TVs and built-in refrigerators, as well as recycling bins in an effort to raise awareness about the environment.

“We were supposed to launch a prototype on June 30, 2013; however, the [political situation forced us] to postpone the launch,” says Tayseer Ibrahim, one of Tatweer’s four co-founders. “However, we received great support from the governor of Cairo, especially after we made simple adjustments… We hope for this to result in the formal approval to launch our services.”

They expect to launch five prototype kiosks in Cairo’s Maadi distrct by the end of the year. If they receive approval from Cairo’s governor they will then launch on the capital’s main streets. “We’ll start with Agouza, Nasr City, and Heliopolis, upscale neighborhoods” says Ibrahim.

Original article by Eman Mostafa

Continue reading at Wamda:

Cairo’s streets get a makeover, beginning with sponsored kiosks