About AI Mashinani🇰🇪

Empowering African entrepreneurs with AI-powered business tools

Our Mission

To democratize access to advanced business tools and AI technology for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa, enabling entrepreneurs to build stronger, more competitive businesses that drive economic growth and create sustainable livelihoods.

Our Story

AI Mashinani was born from a simple observation: while large corporations have access to sophisticated business tools and AI technology, small businesses in Africa often operate with limited resources and outdated methods.

Our founders, having worked with SMEs across Kenya and East Africa, recognized that the entrepreneurial spirit was abundant, but the tools to scale and compete were not accessible or affordable.

"Mashinani" means "grassroots" in Swahili – representing our commitment to bringing world-class technology to the foundation of African economies: small businesses.

The Challenge

In Kenya alone, over 7.5 million micro and small enterprises contribute to 40% of GDP, yet most operate without professional marketing materials, strategic business plans, or data-driven insights.

Traditional business consulting is expensive and inaccessible. Creating professional brochures, websites, and marketing content often costs more than many small businesses can afford.

We bridge this gap by providing AI-powered tools that deliver enterprise-level capabilities at prices accessible to village entrepreneurs and urban startups alike.

Our Values

Ubuntu (Community)

We believe in collective growth and supporting each other's success

Excellence (Ufanisi)

We strive for the highest quality in everything we do

Innovation (Uvumbuzi)

We create cutting-edge solutions tailored for African businesses

Accessibility (Upatikanaji)

Technology should be available and affordable for all entrepreneurs

Leadership Team

DAO

Dr. Amara Ochieng

Chief Executive Officer

15+ years in fintech and SME development across East Africa. Former World Bank consultant on digital financial inclusion.

Strategic Leadership
SME Development
Digital Finance
JM

James Mutua

Chief Technology Officer

AI/ML engineer with experience at Google Kenya and Safaricom. Expert in building scalable AI systems for emerging markets.

Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
System Architecture
GW

Grace Wanjiku

Head of Business Development

Former Kenya Association of Manufacturers executive. Deep understanding of local business ecosystem and regulatory environment.

Business Strategy
Market Development
Regulatory Compliance
DK

David Kiprotich

Head of Product

UX/Product specialist with focus on developing user-friendly solutions for African markets. Former iHub product lead.

Product Design
User Experience
Market Research

Our Journey

2023

Company Founded

Incorporated in Kenya

AI Mashinani launched with seed funding from Kenyan angel investors

2024

Platform Beta Launch

200+ Beta Users

Successful beta testing with 200+ Kenyan SMEs across 10 counties

2024

Strategic Partnerships

5+ Strategic Partners

Partnerships with Kenya Association of Manufacturers and local banks

2025

Full Platform Launch

Market Ready

Public launch with AI-powered business tools for East African market

Our Impact
500+

Businesses Supported

10,000+

Marketing Assets Created

15

Counties Reached

From micro-enterprises in rural villages to tech startups in Nairobi, AI Mashinani is helping entrepreneurs across Kenya build more professional, competitive businesses.

Our Location

Proudly based in Nairobi, Kenya – the heart of East Africa's innovation ecosystem.

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Service Area: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda

Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3)

Get in Touch

Ready to transform your business? We'd love to hear from you.

Join the Revolution

Be part of the movement to democratize business technology across Africa. Together, we're building stronger economies, one entrepreneur at a time.