An AI communications startup from Zambia is aiming to lower the cost of phone calls for businesses by implementing AI voice agents that can manage these conversations at a larger scale.
Communication plays a vital role in the operations of many enterprises, from fintech companies encouraging users to complete tasks to consumer goods brands taking daily orders from small retailers. Traditionally, these tasks are handled by large call centers or outsourced teams, which come with various challenges such as overhead costs, recruitment difficulties, and limitations in the number of calls that can be made by humans in a day.
The startup, which started as Topup Mama and rebranded as an AI communications company in 2021, believes that using AI voice agents is a more efficient approach to reduce communication costs for businesses.
The CEO and Co-founder of the startup stated, “Businesses face challenges in scaling due to communication issues, mainly the cost involved. We assist businesses in communicating with customers in an intelligent, contextual, and cost-effective manner.”
The AI voice bots developed by the startup have a human-like quality, making conversations feel natural. They are capable of conversing in major African languages like Igbo, Hausa, Swahili, and Yoruba.
The startup has reportedly helped companies enhance their efficiency, with examples like aiding a Nigerian fintech company in making 100,000 calls with just one employee, a task that would typically require 30 employees over a three-month period.
According to the CEO, voice AI is predicted to be the most prevalent use of AI in Africa due to factors such as low smartphone penetration and high illiteracy rates, making voice interfaces more practical for widespread AI adoption.
The startup generates revenue by charging per second for phone calls, offering rates that are competitive compared to traditional call centers. The focus is on providing cost-effective and efficient solutions to businesses by leveraging AI technology.
Caantin’s differentiation lies in its African context, understanding local dialects and speech patterns better than generic models. The company is also planning to introduce analytics features to provide valuable insights from phone conversations for businesses.
Having secured funding from Ventures Platform, the startup aims to revolutionize customer support for startups, potentially impacting traditional call centers in the process.