A South African startup, Tregter, is leveraging WhatsApp to revolutionize data collection in rural communities, improving lives and bridging the digital divide.
Tregter, established in 2019, has assisted multiple vendors in building chatbots to collect data or disseminate information to clients. One notable project is with the Do More Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of children in South Africa’s underserved communities.
Tregter’s WhatsApp chatbot for the Do More Foundation collects data on early childhood development across rural South Africa. This initiative demonstrates how chatbots can facilitate essential research in areas where access is often limited.
The company operates in a competitive space with over 40 chatbot startups in South Africa. However, Tregter is exploring a growing area of using chatbots for research, focusing on underserved rural communities and leveraging WhatsApp’s widespread use.
By automating data collection through chatbots, Tregter improves data quality and reduces the time required to gather insights. The company sees WhatsApp as the future of customer interaction, citing its widespread use and accessibility.
Tregter prioritizes security and privacy, highlighting the significance of cloud migration and ensuring users have necessary access while maintaining data protection. Despite challenges, the company remains bootstrapped, focusing on proving product-market fit before seeking external funding.
Tregter aims to launch a SaaS platform to reach a wider audience and adapt to the African context. The company is keenly aware of the need to leverage existing platforms like WhatsApp to bridge digital literacy gaps and deliver tangible value.
