Built with purpose in Zambia

Your Neighborhood,
Now Searchable.

We're building the most human-centered local discovery platform in Africa — where finding a business feels as natural as texting a friend.

Funafuna community of customers and businesses
Community First
Our Story

From a Simple Idea to a Movement

Funafuna was born from a simple idea: what if finding local services could be as easy as sending a message?

In Zambia, many small businesses operate without digital visibility. No websites. No Google listings. No way for customers to find them beyond word of mouth. We saw tailors, barbers, mechanics, and food vendors with incredible skills — but invisible online.

"We started with WhatsApp because that's where Zambia already lives. Then we built the PWA to make browsing and discovery even easier."

Funafuna leverages conversational commerce — using AI-powered chat interfaces and a lightweight web app — to make local search natural, fast, and accessible to everyone. Even those without the latest smartphones or access to app stores.

Starting as a WhatsApp-based search assistant, Funafuna has grown into a full platform that connects people to nearby services, businesses, and deals — right when they need them.

One message connects you to endless local possibilities
One Message Away
Who We Are

One Message. Endless Local Possibilities.

We are builders, dreamers, and doers — passionate about harnessing the power of technology to uplift communities. Our team brings together experience in cybersecurity, mobile innovation, and grassroots outreach to build tools that work where people live, how people live.

We believe in putting powerful, intuitive tech in the hands of ordinary Zambians — so that even the smallest barber shop, tailor, or food vendor can compete and thrive.

Our vision is to create the most human-centered search experience in Africa — where discovering what you need feels as natural as texting a friend.

Vision & Values

What We Stand For

The principles that guide every decision we make.

Simplicity

Interfaces anyone can use, regardless of age, education, or tech background. If you can text, you can Funafuna.

Equity

Equal access to digital tools for businesses of all sizes. The smallest vendor gets the same visibility as the biggest chain.

Resilience

Supporting local economies by creating digital-first visibility for offline businesses. When they thrive, communities thrive.

Community

We don't build for users — we build with neighbors. Every feature is shaped by the people who use it daily.

Meet the Founders

Helping Small Businesses Shine

Two builders, one mission: make local discovery effortless for every Zambian.

Viv M. Langa and Ambarish Kumar - Funafuna Founders

Viv M. Langa & Ambarish Kumar

Co-Founders, Funafuna by Chipale

Viv M. Langa is the heart behind Funafuna. With a background in cybersecurity and a deep love for community, Viv saw a simple problem — too many talented local service providers were being left out of the digital economy. Drawing from years of experience protecting digital systems and a lifelong passion for lifting up local entrepreneurs, he started Funafuna to make it easier for everyday people to be found, booked, and supported online.

Ambarish Kumar

Co-Founder & CTO

Ambarish Kumar is a tech builder at heart. He's spent his career using technology to solve real-world problems, especially in places where access is limited.

After working with Viv on Kalimba Radio — a music app designed to bring Zambian beats to the world — it was a no-brainer to team up again.

At Funafuna, Ambarish leads the tech and product side, making sure everything runs smoothly and stays easy to use for everyone — from the customer browsing on a basic smartphone to the business owner receiving their first WhatsApp lead.

Impact in Zambia

Built for Impact, Not Just Innovation

Funafuna is built for impact — every listing, every message, and every conversation helps bridge the gap between small businesses and the customers they serve.

  • Empower underserved entrepreneurs by helping them gain digital visibility at no cost
  • Provide training and awareness to boost confidence in using technology
  • Make informal businesses discoverable through AI-powered local search
  • Enable mobile payments, location-aware discovery, and easy sharing to expand reach

Whether it's a hairdresser in Kamwala or a mechanic in Matero, Funafuna helps small businesses get found, increase their income, and thrive as part of Zambia's growing digital economy.

500+
Businesses Listed
10k+
Customer Searches
6
Cities Covered
0
Cost to Get Listed

"Funafuna is not just a product — it's a movement to ensure African businesses are discoverable, reachable, and empowered."

— Viv & Ambarish, Co-Founders
For Local Businesses

Get Discovered. Grow. For Free.

We help you get discovered and grow — whether through our free tools or premium features. Every business, no matter how small, deserves a digital presence.

Free Listings

Appear in searches by category and location. No website required.

Sponsored Listings

Get top placement, enhanced display, and lead alerts when customers are searching.

WhatsApp Leads

Customers message you directly on the app you already use. No new tools to learn.

🚀

Ready to Get Listed?

Join 500+ local businesses already getting discovered on Funafuna. It takes less than 5 minutes and it's completely free to start.

List Your Business Free

Join the Movement

Whether you're a customer looking for local services or a business ready to grow — Funafuna is here for you.

Open the PWA Chat on WhatsApp