Tanzania - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Spana is a mobile application for a bouquet of affordable and quality automobile services. It enables Individual car owners to request auto diagnostic checks, vehicle servicing, repair or subscribe their vehicles to annual routine maintenance.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Spana is a technology social enterprise that transforms the informal mechanics, improves car care services and combat counterfeit spare parts. Spana is an AI enabled mobile application for a bouquet of affordable and quality automobile services. It enables Individual car owners and businesses to request auto diagnostic checks, vehicle servicing, repair or subscribe their vehicles to annual routine maintenance. With Spana, you can access:- -Reliable mechanics -History of repairs / Maintenance history -Track your expenses -Service reminders -Mobile mechanic/Pick-up and delivery -Digital service card -Original parts affordably -Avoid expensive repairs with service reminders and periodic maintenance

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Tanzania like most of the Sub-Saharan African countries is a 1. used cars-dominated market, with a ratio of 90:10, where cars as old as 20 years still find their way to Tanzania's roads. The used cars powered by after-market spare parts where most are 2. fake leading to frequent breakdowns and car owners spend 4 times more on maintenance. There's also a 3. lack of expertise and modern tools as 70% of car owners service their cars at backyard garages using informal mechanics/roadside mechanics exacerbating the problem. 4. Overpricing of spare parts is also very common where prices fluctuate as much as 30% from one shop to another.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The major benefits of using this products are-; 1. Improved car services and quality assurance due to the well-vetted mechanics using modern tools and equipment such as diagnosis machines, this will help reduce trial and error done by the backyard mechanics. 2. Ultimate convenience that comes with digitized bookings and smooth flow of mechanics which is a result of various services such as mobile mechanics, home service and pick up and delivery. 3. Combat the usage of counterfeit spare parts that makes car owners spend 4 times more on maintenance due to frequent breakdowns, healthy risks and road safety that are caused by the usage of counterfeit spare parts.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The beneficiaries are categorized into three groups as follow-; 1. Mechanics and garages they get-; a.More customers through free advertising b.CRM to efficiently manage logistics c.Full Focus on what they are good at fixing cars 2. Individual car owners get-; a. Assured quality mechanics through our vetted onboarding processes b. Comparable spare parts pricing allowing transparency and supply and demand economics to dictate c. Mobile Mechanic Ultimate convenience through mobile mechanic 3. Businesses With Fleets gets-; a. Easy to manage All Vehicles under one roof (Mechanic) b. Automated in-app invoices and receipts (In real-time) c. Service appointment reminders d. Preventative maintenance diagnostics and tips

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-10-07

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

1. Ebenezery Kimaro, CTO Software engineer with more than 7 years experience in software engineering, He has worked as a freelancer and Co-founded a software development agency and created several softwares and systems including a hospital management system for a referral Hospital in Dar Es Salaam. Ebenezery is a Full-stack developer, and holds a Bachelor of computer engineering and information technology. Ebenezery is a Lead developer, in charge of research and development and managing tech team. 2.John Mwapinga - Product manager Software developer with 6+ years experience in software development worked as a freelancer developing consumer and business software. System analyst, mobile, back-end, and front-end. Holds a Bachelor's in computer engineering and information technology. John is responsible for the Company's Mobile App development. 3. Joyce Thomas - Business Developer An experienced project manager, Joyce pioneers Spana's penetration to the market.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://spana.app/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Mobility

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

We end poverty by providing jobs and income to the mechanics, and those are from the informal sector are provided with the upskilling that helps to retain their jobs.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

4

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

We provide training and upskilling opportunities to backyard mechanics and other informal skilled workers by matching them with master mechanics for practical tutorials. This helps in the transfer of skills, adaption of new techniques, and improve of service delivery.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

We promote gender equality in all our dealings by promoting a safe environment for both genders to prosper especially women who shy away from some of the vocations such as mechanical work. We do this by providing training and an environment for young women to learn and earn an income.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

We want to tackle the poor vehicle maintenance culture in Tanzania by fostering a vehicle maintenance culture. We want our customers, both corporate fleet owners and individuals, to avoid expensive repairs. and promote alternative energy source such as the CNG installation.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

With the jobs available in the apps, the mechanics now get better payments that help to improve their livelihoods. Also the app provides a digital financial profile for the mechanics to help them track their expenses and improve their credit score.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

My projects contributes to the industry innovation and infrastructure of automotive repairs and maintenance by providing a practical solution for car owners to better access car repair services, especially in the urban areas and big cities. This will foster service delivery and improve the overall economy of the country.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Today 60% of the population in Africa is living in rural areas, in 2050 60% of the population will be living in urban areas. With limited job opportunities available, we are at danger of extreme poverty, development of the slums, formation of the gangs, and increase in crime activities. We are creating a system where this growing population can find jobs. Gig economy might be the answer.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

by 2050 50% of population in africa will be living in the urban areas. Climate change results in the decline of productive agricultural land as well as seasonal shifts that cause severe droughts. These droughts then force people living in rural areas to migrate to urban areas and cities in search of employment and other livelihood options. Lack of enough employment opportunities oftenly lead to poverty and the development of slums may force youths to join and involve themselves into gangs and criminal activities. Spana may provide hope and a platform for these youths to learn a skill and get employment to improve their livelihoods.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

To combat the usage of counterfeit spare parts in the country, we need to join forces with various stakeholders within the automotive supply chain and industry as a whole, and the government is an indispensable partner. Hence partnerships are vital if we are to see another day in the industry. Also, partnerships can help us get a quicker and wider access to the market by partnering with various spare parts suppliers and libricants manufacturers such as the TOTAL ENERGIES.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

6

05.08 Justification

Our project is unique as it is the first platform in the country that simplifies access to car services and repairs, as well as genuine spare parts. Our App offers multiple benefits to car owners such as-; -History of repairs / Maintenance history -Track your expenses -Service reminders -Mobile mechanic/Pick-up and delivery -Digital service card

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Currently, the competition comes from the traditional way of people having phone numbers of several mechanics in their phonebooks or visiting the local garages and auto shops available. Similar platforms exist in Nigeria such as Mecho Auto and South Africa such as Fixxrr which focuses on mobile mechanics.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

By encouraging, supporting and buying products and service from women entrepreneurs.