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Fundi App
Fundi App is an on-demand mobile application that connects vetted handymen from the informal sector who provide different types of installation, repair and maintenance services to customers in the wider market. We use digital technologies to match demand with nearest skilled individuals available in real-time. Our idea was mainly inspired by two things;
1) How difficult it is to locate handymen who prioritize quality, affordability and reliability. Most solutions offer contacts scattered across the web that are often not vetted which makes the process risky, expensive and time consuming for the customer.
2) How difficult it is for the technically and vocationally skilled African youths to find decent work in the formal market. According to the African Development Bank(Afdb), 11 million youth enter the labour market every year that only generates 3 million new jobs; we believe that the situation requires rapid expansion of market opportunities in order to keep pace.
Define three specific objectives that you would like to achieve with your proposal.
1) Build a to-go-to a mobile platform that will offer on-demand installation, repair and maintenance services to over 5 million people in Dar es salaam
2) Develop a database of rated service providers that can, later on, be used for technical projects by corporate clients(B2B) - 1,700 unique service providers from the informal sector by end of 2021
3) Complete at least 100,000 tasks by end of 2021 in proving the concept
What problems (particularly in value chain competitiveness and global disruption) are your community’s stakeholders facing due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
COVID-19 and the World of Work Report(The ILO Monitor 2nd Edition), indicates that 4 out of 5 people (81 per cent) in the global workforce of 3.3 billion are currently affected by full or partial workplace closures. In Africa, millions of daily wage earners have suddenly found themselves in curfews and countrywide lock-downs failing to cater for their daily needs and livelihoods.
In most sub-Saharan countries, customers who look for service providers/handymen must almost always physically look in overpopulated local markets which act as access points/stations for the workers. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, they have found their access to market extremely limited.
What minimum viable solution(s) are you proposing to address the challenge(s) in your community?
We have developed an UBER-Type mobile app that bridges the gap between skills and opportunities by connecting vetted and background-checked handymen to the nearest customers who need their services in real-time.
We are keen to leverage the fact that Tanzania is one of the countries with the highest internet penetration rates in East Africa, now standing at about 48% and still growing year to year.
Our mobile app is built with the following latest technologies that will help elevate the experience of both, customers and the service providers:
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One Time Password (OTP) for more secure login and data protection
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Geo-location/Geo-referencing for tracking service providers’ location in real-time and help manage their service response time
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Real-time Push Notifications
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Real-time Service Rating for monitoring and ensuring the quality of services being provided
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Mobile Money/Card Payments for the convenience of cashless payments and better record keeping
We have currently positioned ourselves to help millions of youth offering services in verticals such as heating and ventilation, plumbing, electrical/solar, CCTV, satellite TV, painting, partitioning and carpentry. Our work is impact-driven directly contributing to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal #8 Access to Decent Work & Economic Growth
Our business model is commission-based. We take 10% commission off of every task completed by a service provider using our app. Prices for all services are standardized in the app to guarantee our customer with process transparency.
Share your story (your narrative)
Growing up in an extended family where 2 of my uncles were skilled plumbers operating in the informal sector and living on less than $3 a day, I have seen first-hand how a lack of reliable flow of opportunities and poor work structure can directly impact livelihoods and social image as well.
Back in August 2019, we conducted a survey as part of the incubation program that we took part in called Dare to Change Tanzania by Digital Opportunity Trust. We partnered with 100 handymen operating in the informal sector to test our prototype. Over 95% of the individuals that were surveyed, age profile 18-40, all from urban areas, replied that they "Highly Agree" that Fundi App will provide them with access to more jobs and better work structure.
We have a real opportunity here to use digital technology to revolutionize access to decent and reliable work for young skilled workers in the installation, repair, and maintenance industry, not just in Tanzania alone but neighbouring markets too in the sub-Saharan region.
Please provide any additional relevant information that you would like to share.
Fundi App has been recognized by the following brands as one of the most promising startups locally and internationally:
- Dare 2 Change 2019 Tanzania Winner by Digital Opportunity Trust
- Startup Istanbul Top 100 the Year 2020
- Tony Elumelu Advanced Business and Entrepreneurship Cohort 2020
- Yunus&Yunus Global Fellowship 2020
Sounds good matching skills with employers like LinkedIn and much more.
HI. I like the idea. I guess there are a lot of apps to learn from and build off for your specific context as these match making work sites exist in many contexts. The 10% fee seems high though. does the money/ payment go through you or not? also you state that you set the price for work. Has this been tested? Good luck seems like you are well on the way to success
Great idea. How would you manage retention? When talents find opportunities on your platform, they can settle off your platform and may never return again? How will you address this?
Sound good to help the unemployed
Wow thats great so how is it cheaper ? Or lets say more affordable ? Compared to other existing services ? Such as linked in ?
Hi Paulo,
I trust you are well.
Let me congratulate you on your idea and also how you have articulated your idea – very clear and precise.
I wish to share a few questions and remarks for your consideration.
1. Are there platforms that perform the same function as Fundi App in Tanzania or elsewhere in Africa? If so, how do you plan to forge have a competitive advantage over them?
2. Apart from match-making, what other value-added services do you think you can provide?
Great idea as it reduces unemployment
Hey Paulo, It's a great idea. It's great to see someone thinking of their community on a bigger level. This is a great idea and with a lot of potential, I have worked with a similar startup in my country and would like make some suggestions;
1) Some workers will try to establish direct contact with the employer so they can bypass your app the next time, what's your solution for that and how you are stopping this from happening.
2) There is always a problem with finding skilled labor, so I would suggest if you train some or certify some after conducting some tests.
3) As some people don't use apps and still rely on phones, have you considered that, and if yes, I would suggest to have a phone operator connecting such clientele with laborers.
This is all and all a great idea, let me know if I can be of any further assistance, Thank you.
Status label added: Mentor feedback received
Absolutely good idea.
Are there any other platforms in Tanzania offering similar solution? if yes, what makes your solution unique?
Am glad to have seen such a solution, this is very much in Africa. Right now I have a spoilt flat iron and desperately need someone to fix it but can’t find them. Just work around a notification that is USSD based and like magic, you’ll be good to go! Definitely worth my vote!. Good luck on the next stage!.
Status label added: Community feedback received
The idea has been progressed to the next milestone.
Could you please explain your business model and how do you make money from it.
Hello, have you done a benchmarking? TaskRabbit? Best, Mojca
nice! have a look at lynk.co.ke for inspiration!
Just found the app I was looking for..Great Idea Paulo!!
It has become a bit hard to find handymen to fix and maintenance of different things especially at home. You have solved a challenge for us lazy people he hee hee(joking)
All in All, I'm rooting for you, keep pushing !!!
Users tagged:
Great idea! How would you ensure the affordability of smart phone and internet to the informal sector? and also coaching them for digital lifestyle and banking system?