UK-based man launches mobile app

31 Aug, 2018 - 00:08 0 Views
UK-based man launches mobile app

eBusiness Weekly

Bulawayo Bureau
A Zimbabwean entrepreneur based in the United Kingdom (UK), has launched a mobile application that allows individuals to instantly send airtime worldwide.

Takwana Tyaranini from Rimuka Township in Kadoma, co-founded the mobile airtime transfer application called “Senditoo”, with his Guinean business partner Ibrahima Soumano in October 2016.

To date, the application, which is available for download on App Store and Google Play Store, covers 400 mobile networks in 140 countries around the world.

In an interview with Bulawayo Bureau, Tyaranini said they chose the name of the application as they wanted something unique.

“In a world where every other name is taken, we wanted a name that not only informed our clients but also instructed them so Senditoo was a perfect fit,” he said.

Tyaranini said he was inspired to launch the mobile application after he lost his job.

“I lost my job and found myself never wanting to depend on employment. That’s when my business partner Mr Soumano insisted we form a 50 – 50 partnership and as they say, the rest is history,” said Mr Tyaranini.

He said the application has been well received by customers around the world, particularly those from the UK.

“Senditoo has essentially taken the UK in particular by storm so much that at one point 70 percent of our transactions were going to Zimbabwe. Currently, over 36 percent of our top ups go to Zimbabwe,” he said.

The entrepreneurs have also roped in media personality and former radio 2 presenter Ezra Tshisa Sibanda as their brand ambassador.

He said the move was paying dividend, with the application proving to be extremely popular amongst Zimbabweans living abroad.

He hinted that as Diasporans, they will heed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call to invest in the economy.

“As difficult as things are in the country, foreign investors are intrigued by Zimbabwe so we don’t want a situation where only foreigners reap the benefits of taking a chance on Zimbabwe.

“If a young man from a small township in Kadoma can go to the UK then start a company that’s now worth over £5 million in just 22 weeks, it should be possible for a young man in Luveve to start his own company without having to leave Zimbabwe and that can only happen if each and every child or Zimbabwe helps Zimbabwe back on her feet,” said Tyaranini.

Senditoo is worth about £5 million pounds.

In May 2017, the company scooped the Business of the Year award at the prestigious Zimbabwe Achievers awards.

Tyaranini said the award was recognition of the value his company brings to the UK diaspora community through their service offering.

In the coming months, Tyaranini revealed that they aim to partner up with retail outlets to allow them to have an offline presence. The application is online based. With more mobile phone devices than bank accounts, Tyaranini said Africa will remain the key focus for Senditoo.

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