Your Neighborhood, Now Searchable.
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. Funafuna leverages conversational commerce-using AI-powered chat interfaces-to make local search natural, fast, and accessible to everyone, even those without advanced 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.
For Local Businesses:
We help you get discovered and grow — whether through our free tools or premium features.
Funafuna bridges the gap between people and what they need — while helping small businesses succeed.
Funafuna connects people to what they need - while helping businesses succeed.
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.
Vision & Values
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.
We believe in:
For Local Businesses:
Simplicity: Interfaces anyone can use, regardless of age or education.
Equity: Equal access to digital tools for businesses of all sizes.
Resilience: Supporting local economies by creating digital-first visibility for offline businesses.
🌟 Sponsored Listings: Get top placement, enhanced display, and lead alerts.
Funafuna is not just a product-it’s a movement to ensure African businesses are discoverable, reachable, and empowered.
Helping Small Businesses Shine - One Chat at a Time.
Viv M. Langa is the heart behind Funafuna by Chipale. 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. So, he set out to change that. Drawing from years of experience protecting digital systems and a lifelong passion for lifting up local entrepreneurs, Viv started Funafuna to make it easier for everyday people to be found, booked, and supported online.
Ambarish Kumar, co-founder of Funafuna, 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.
Together, Viv and Ambarish are building more than just a platform - they’re building a movement to make local businesses easier to discover, support, and celebrate, using the power of AI and mobile tech.
Impact in Zambia
Funafuna is built for impact — every listing, every message, and every conversation helps bridge the gap between small businesses and the customers they serve.
We work to:
✅ 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.
