From a WhatsApp Idea to a Game-Changing Startup. How Two Teenagers Built Jobzy, Africa’s Fastest-Growing Job Marketplace.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, a simple WhatsApp conversation between two Kenyan teenagers, Matt Magera and Enoch Kambale, sparked the idea for Jobzy, a peer-to-peer job marketplace that has since facilitated over 20,000 successful engagements across 16 service categories.
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What started in 2020 with just KSh 2,000 (about $15) to buy a domain name has now grown into a full-fledged web and mobile platform connecting informal workers with customers, revolutionizing Africa’s gig economy.
Jobzy’s goal? To bridge the gap for Africa’s 500 million informal workers, providing job opportunities, financial services, and credit access in an economy often stacked against them.
Starting with just KSh 2,000 ($15) for a domain name, Jobzy has evolved from a basic one-page website into a comprehensive digital platform that connects informal workers directly with customers—helping bridge the gap in Africa’s 500 million-strong informal workforce.
How Jobzy is Transforming Africa’s Gig Economy
Jobzy acts as a job marketplace and financial platform for informal workers, enabling service providers such as:
✔ Cleaners
✔ Photographers
✔ Mechanics
✔ Plumbers
✔ Barbers
✔ Tutors
✔ Makeup artists and more
Beyond job matching, Jobzy also serves as a digital bank, allowing workers to:
✔ Save their income securely
✔ Build financial credibility using transaction data
✔ Access credit, loans, and financial services to grow their businesses
Tech-Driven Innovation: AI, Blockchain & USSD
Jobzy leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance accessibility and security, including:
- USSD Technology for workers without smartphones or internet access
- Blockchain-enhanced security to prevent fraud and ensure trustworthy transactions
- AI-powered job matching to connect workers with relevant, high-demand opportunities
- Integrated payment solutions, making transactions seamless and secure
How Jobzy Makes Money
Jobzy earns revenue through:
✔ A 10% commission on transactions
✔ Paid advertising for businesses targeting service providers and customers
Meet the Founders: Young Innovators Reshaping the Future
Jobzy was founded by two self-taught entrepreneurs:
- Enoch Kambale learned coding via YouTube tutorials before studying Computer Science at the University of Nairobi
- Matt Magera pursued Accounting at Strathmore University
The duo met at Mang’u High School, and their shared vision has driven Jobzy’s rapid success.
Scaling Up: Expansion into Uganda & Tanzania
With strong traction in Kenya, Jobzy is now gearing up for expansion into Uganda and Tanzania. The next phase of development includes:
- AI-powered job recommendations to optimize efficiency
- Financial tools to help workers save, invest, and grow their earnings
Awards & Industry Recognition
In 2023, Jobzy won the Startup of the Year Award at the East Africa Awards, hosted by Africa Tech Festival. The platform has also gained recognition in:
✔ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
✔ E-commerce
✔ Fintech