A new startup has introduced ‘Naini’, an AI assistant aimed at helping African consumers manage personal and household tasks. While many digital tools focus on enterprise or workplace use, Naini is designed to support routine tasks in homes and small businesses.
The assistant operates through WhatsApp and a simple web interface, enabling users to manage day-to-day responsibilities like grocery reorders, gift planning, meal scheduling, and bill reminders. According to Oluwarotimi Dada, the goal is to reduce the pressure of daily life by offering automation tools that match the habits and lifestyles of African users.
“Africa’s digital economy is expanding fast, but personal automation is still a missing piece. We want to bridge that gap with culturally aligned tools,” said Joshua Bassey, co-founder.
Naini goes beyond scheduling. It can suggest meal plans based on market days, remind users about birthdays, track household inventory, and support small business needs such as confirming orders and sending payment reminders. The tool is built to respond in a natural and familiar way, using emotional prompts and local expressions.
Since its soft launch in Lagos earlier this year, the startup has partnered with fintech APIs and logistics firms. This allows Naini to offer features such as in-app payments, delivery coordination, and promotional offers from local brands.
The product is available through a freemium model, with added features for families and micro-entrepreneurs available through premium plans. Revenue is also generated through affiliate commerce and partnerships.
Expansion plans include support for more regional languages, mobile wallet integration, and versions for low-data users. These steps are part of the startup’s effort to ensure broader access, especially in areas with limited internet connectivity.
As more African consumers adopt digital tools, solutions like Naini may shape the future of personal tech on the continent. By focusing on everyday needs and real-life routines, the startup aims to create technology that supports, rather than disrupts, users’ lives. Naini is positioned as a step toward a more responsive and human-centred automation ecosystem in Africa.
