South African startup ECAfrica has built a digital platform aimed at addressing the critical pain points faced by African entrepreneurs, connecting them with the resources they need to scale.
ECAfrica with a conversation on Twitter in 2016, where a growing community of entrepreneurs recognised the potential of technology to support social impact projects and foster entrepreneurial growth.
The company was co-founded by a mother-daughter duo Vanessa Perumal and Taynita Harilal, and initially funded by JT Communication Solutions, Perumal’s company.
“Post-COVID-19, we observed a decline in formal job creation in countries like South Africa, highlighting the urgent need to support entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth. The pandemic also accelerated the shift towards hybrid and virtual work models, resulting in surplus office space, furniture, equipment, and skills,” Harilal told Disrupt Africa.
Inspired by the success of circular economies in countries like India and China, ECAfrica aims to establish a similar framework in South Africa.
“By promoting the reuse and repurposing of resources, we can create new opportunities for entrepreneurs and contribute to a more sustainable economy. Our platform focuses on connecting entrepreneurs with these resources, fostering innovation, and driving job creation,” Harilal said.
The ECAfrica platform, then, provides access to cash flow, markets, and other essential elements to scaling.
“By building an inclusive pipeline, we focus on resourcing entrepreneurs through a circular economy, leveraging geolocation to tap into climate change solutions, and documenting and validating networks to improve compliance and taxes,” said Harilal.
“ECAfrica’s resource bank serves as a game-changer, providing entrepreneurs with a centralized platform to access essential resources and connect with potential collaborators, ultimately creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
The uptake of ECafrica has been validated by its growing community, which includes 2,500 active Facebook followers and an online WhatsApp group.
“We have successfully implemented various projects, particularly in support of social justice causes like Fees Must Fall, No to Xenophobia, and ending GBV,” said Harilal.
“We have strategically leveraged existing funding in the marketplace through graduate skills internships, networks, and collaborations. This approach has demonstrated our agency and credibility as a leading force in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Having launched its MVP and demonstrated proof of concept, ECAfrica is now market-ready to seek funding.
“Our results-driven analytics provide compelling evidence of our platform’s effectiveness and potential for significant impact,” Harilal said.
“Our vision for ECafrica is similar to Uber and Airbnb, where we don’t own the warehouses but facilitate the movement of resources. While our primary focus is on South Africa, we have a presence in five African markets through partnerships and plan to expand further when the time is right.”
As the ECAfrica platform expands, it is developing a business unit to share revenue streams with the entrepreneurs it helps scale.
“Additionally, we are focusing on climate change opportunities to secure grant funding and build technology with a strong return on investment. This focus aligns with future market trends and contributes to our sustainability,” Harilal said.
