This proposal seeks grant funding for Localee, a community-powered news platform, to launch its go-to-market strategy and onboard 5,000 new users in Goma, Kinshasa, Dakar and Nairobi.

What is Localee?

Localee was founded by Fidelia Okandze, a Congolese entrepreneur driven by frustration with the lack of accessible, trustworthy news from Congo during the 2024 conflict. She realised that people around the world, including herself, were relying on informal WhatsApp or Facebook updates from friends just to get basic facts about what was happening on the ground. In response, she designed Localee as a community-powered platform where locals could share real-time updates and validate each other's reports.

The idea began as a simple tool for crowdsourcing local insights, but quickly evolved after users began voluntarily posting news and community updates. Fidelia recognised its potential as a local news feed and a reliable channel for humanitarian, civic, and business information in regions overlooked by mainstream media.

Localee has already launched its app on the iOS App Store and built out a plan to expand across major cities in Africa, starting with Kinshasa and Dakar.

Why is this work necessary?

In many African regions, crucial local events go unreported, leaving communities uninformed and vulnerable. Traditional media often overlooks rural or conflict-affected areas, leading to misinformation, missed opportunities, and delayed responses.

This lack of reliable local information hampers safety, economic development, and civic participation. By providing a platform for real-time, community-sourced news, Localee addresses these challenges, encouraging informed and engaged communities.

The solution

Localee's go-to-market strategy focuses on expanding its user base and establishing sustainable revenue streams. The approach includes:

1. Partnering with local institutions such as universities, hospitals, churches, and businesses to promote the app within their networks.

2. Recruiting local agents to manage and nurture these partnerships.

3. Collaborating with local online personalities, TV channels, and radio stations to amplify outreach efforts.

This multifaceted strategy aims to onboard 5,000 new users across Goma, Kinshasa, Dakar and Nairobi within two months, enhancing the platform's reach and impact.

The plan is also informed by real-world traction. Localee users have already shared breaking news before major broadcasters like the BBC, showcasing the platform's potential for timely, grassroots reporting.

Metrics we'll track:

Impact and outcomes

By expanding its user base and establishing partnerships with local institutions, Localee will enhance access to real-time, community-sourced news in Goma, Kinshasa, Dakar and Nairobi.

The platform is designed not only to inform but also to economically empower. Localee's vision includes compensating contributors based on the community validation of their posts, bringing the fairness and incentives of platforms like TikTok into the news and civic engagement space.

With a focus on accessibility, trust, and hyper-local visibility, Localee can transform how information flows in African cities, reduce misinformation, and improve local economies.