Taha Jiwaji is the entrepreneur behind Bongo Live!, the mobile tech start up which has been getting a lot of attention in and out of Tanzania. Bongo Live! was a participant at the Pivot 25 mobile technology competition in Nairobi, Kenya. Let’s get more details about Bongo Live! from Taha.

Can you introduce Bongo Live! to us?

Bongo Live is changing the way businesses reach new customers as well as stay in touch with existing ones. Our opt-in targeted sms advertising service lets businesses reach their target audience directly on their mobile whilst offering consumers deals of their interest. Businesses can also communicate with.

Why did you create this mobile startup?

Our family computer business couldn’t find an effective way to market our goods. I explored the issue and found that this was a common problem faced by vendors. So we developed this service that would lets businesses reach consumers whilst not spamming people with junk sms.

Bongo Live! has been getting a lot of attention in and out of Tanzania. Why this buzz and what other accomplishments have you realized with Bongo Live!?

I think the buzz comes as a result of both traction as well as putting ourselves out there. We’ve developed the service and got customers for it which are important steps in validating our model. We’re also actively promoting the service and putting ourselves out there which a lot of young startups in Africa particularly in Tanzania don’t do. Aside from our traction I think our biggest accomplishments have been presenting at the Harvard Africa business conference as well as at Pivot25.

What does the future hold for Bongo Live! and how will VC4Africa help with this vision?

VC4Africa will continue to serve as a great networking and business development tool to help us expand our business to neighboring markets.

You recently took part in mobile technology competition in Nairobi, Kenya (Pivot 25), what did you get out the competition?

I think the competition was great exposure for us in terms of how you need to be prepared for pitch delivery and the things that investors are looking for. It was also a great way to meet others in the East African tech space and hopefully develop partnerships out of that.

How can members contact you?

I can be reached via email on taha (at) bongolive (dot) co (dot) tz

Related Articles

Interview: Sean Murphy, the founder and CEO of Chembe Ventures

Interview with Ryan Delk of Nairobi’s Pivot25

Interview: Leslie Tita, the co-founder and brains behind Pulse.cm