In an era where seamless communication is crucial for business success, Zambian AI startup Caantin is starting a cost-effective alternative to traditional call centers. By leveraging AI-powered voice agents, the company enables enterprises to conduct large-scale phone conversations efficiently while significantly reducing operational costs.
For many businesses, especially in industries like fintech and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), customer engagement through phone calls is a daily necessity. Whether it’s reminding users to complete signups or processing orders for retail shops, these interactions are vital yet costly.
Traditionally, companies rely on either in-house support teams or outsourced call centers—both of which come with overhead expenses, recruitment challenges, and human limitations in handling large call volumes.
Caantin offers a transformative solution: AI-powered voice agents that can autonomously manage customer interactions at scale. This approach eliminates inefficiencies, enabling businesses to reach a broader customer base without the logistical constraints of human-operated call centers.
Caantin which was founded in 2021 originally started as Topup Mama, a procurement and management platform for restaurants. However, the company revolved to become a dedicated AI communications provider, focusing on optimizing business interactions through artificial intelligence.
“Our goal is to help businesses communicate in an intelligent, contextual, and cost-effective manner,” says Njavwa Mutambo, CEO and Co-founder of Caantin. According to him, high communication costs are a significant barrier to scaling operations, and Caantin’s AI-driven solution addresses this challenge head-on.
Caantin’s AI voice bots are remarkably human-like, featuring natural intonations, pauses, and real-time adaptability. These bots can communicate in major African languages such as Igbo, Hausa, Swahili, and Yoruba, making them particularly relevant for businesses operating across diverse linguistic landscapes.
The startup has already demonstrated its impact, notably helping Nigerian fintech company Cowrywise make 100,000 calls with just one employee—a task that would typically require a team of 30 over three months. This level of efficiency emphasizes the potential of AI in revolutionizing customer interactions.
Despite AI adoption in Africa being in its early stages due to high development costs and infrastructure limitations, voice-based AI solutions are emerging as a promising avenue. With low smartphone penetration, inconsistent internet access, and literacy challenges in various regions, voice technology presents a more accessible and scalable interface compared to text-based solutions.
“Voice is how AI will be distributed in Africa,” explains Mutambo. Beyond simple customer support, Caantin designs its AI voice agents to facilitate collections, complete sales processes, and enhance customer service at a fraction of traditional costs.
One of Caantin’s innovative features is its ability to integrate with payment platforms like Paystack and Flutterwave via webhooks, allowing real-time payment prompts during customer interactions. Additionally, the company is developing an advanced analytics tool that will extract insights from call data, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions.
Caantin operates on a pay-per-second pricing model, similar to telecom providers. In South Africa, the company charges four rands (2 cents) per second, while in Nigeria, the rate is approximately ₦117 (7 cents) per minute—about nine times the local telecom rate. However, Mutambo argues that the cost should be viewed in the broader context of operational efficiency.
“When calculating expenses, businesses must account for salaries, power, internet, and other overhead costs associated with running a call center,” he notes. Many commercial executives view AI as a cost-cutting measure rather than an added expense, given its ability to scale operations without the traditional limitations of human teams.
Caantin primarily competes with traditional Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms and global AI players like YC-backed Bland AI. However, its competitive edge lies in its deep understanding of African linguistic and cultural nuances.
Unlike generic AI models, Caantin’s technology is tailored to recognize local dialects, accents, and speech patterns with greater accuracy.
The startup is also positioning itself against ToumAI, a Moroccan AI company specializing in voice data analytics for industries such as banking and telecommunications. Caantin’s forthcoming analytics feature will directly challenge ToumAI’s offering by providing businesses with actionable insights from customer interactions.
Earlier this year, Ventures Platform provided an undisclosed funding round to Caantin, further supporting its expansion efforts. While the company’s primary mission is to enhance business communication, its AI-driven model is poised to disrupt the call center industry.
“BPOs will need to adapt or struggle to survive,” says Mutambo. While Caantin’s technology is not yet flawless, its continued advancements could render traditional call centers obsolete in the near future.
With AI-powered voice communication proving to be a game-changer for businesses across Africa, Caantin is well-positioned to lead this transformation. As the company refines its technology and expands its capabilities, it may soon redefine how enterprises engage with their customers at scale.
