More and more young people around Africa are venturing into the informal sector, seeking to create jobs.
They are using innovations to pursue their dreams while creating employment in the process. One of them is Alex Kamanga, a Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Fundis, an online app.
And as CGTN’s Wanja Mungai reports, Sharlyne Kamau aged 20, is already pursuing her passion as a plumber.
She works at Fundis, a startup company based in Nairobi, Kenya.
‘‘I joined the profession in 2019, immediately I finished school.The experience has been fantastic at Fundis, I have learnt a lot. I have learned more than plumbing.The reason as to why I decided to get into plumbing is the fact that there’s the satisfaction that comes with it the social relations and the fact there are always opportunities,” Sharlyne says.
Fundis is a Swahili word for artisans. The start-up was established in 2019, as an online platform that connects artisans with clients.
Alex Kamanga Mwangi, CEO, Fundis App submits: “It is very hard to find a repair person when you need one. Where and how do you get a repair person when you need one? So what Fundis does is simply we smooth that process. We enable workers in repair jobs get jobs regularly while you as a customer from the point of just your mobile phone you are able to be joined to a technician at any place.”
His app has a network of 2,000 artisans spread across the country. They include electricians, plumbers, painters, welders, carpenters and much more.
To book a service, one needs to select the required service on their smartphone and key in a description.
You’d also need to attach a picture of the problem you need fixed.
The team will then connect you with an artisan who will give a job quotation.
Kenyans appear to be satisfied with this service.
Zawadi Kitsao from Ongoza Institute says, “They’ve been really efficient, we’ve been calling for a number of services related to office repairs ranging from painting, plumbing work and what I like about them is that it’s a matter of minutes and within 20-30 minutes you have a fundi.”
The inspiration behind Fundis was sparked back in 2017 by a shortage of professional craftsmen in Kenya’s capital during a real estate boom. Now this innovation has helped solve more problems in the society.
Kenya is ranked as a leading tech hub in Africa, and with startups like Fundis coming up rapidly, that could be the answer to the youth unemployment challenge on the continent.
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics says unemployment rates in the country have doubled. The rate is at 10% compared to 5% in March when the country recorded the first coronavirus case.
Those working with Fundis, consider themselves lucky during these tough economic times.
“The return is good. Because now we have many clients so I can’t complain. Fundis app has really helped us,” says Joshua Divai, an electrician, Fundis.
The job comes with its challenges though. For Sharlyne, being so young and a woman in a male dominated field, presents a fair share of trials and tribulations.
“The moment you step into someone’s compound and they are like wow, you are the one coming to fix… there’s that part of it where people don’t believe you can do it,” Sharlene.
Fundis hopes to extend its services beyond Kenyan borders and to include more services in its app’s offerings.
