Gwijico

Gwijico operates a digital platform headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, designed to connect casual cleaners with clients seeking on-demand cleaning services. The company, which launched in May 2022, was co-founded by Elizabeth Mwangi, who also serves as the director. Gwiji aims to address the challenge of unemployment for women in Nairobi's slums, many of whom lack formal education but possess valuable cleaning skills. The platform serves to bridge the gap between these cleaners, locally known as 'Mama Fua', and potential clients, thereby providing the women with a broader pool of work opportunities and offering convenience to customers.

The business operates in the B2C information services industry through a mobile application model. Clients use the Gwiji app to post cleaning jobs for their households or offices. The platform facilitates scheduling, payments, and service tracking. For the workers, Gwiji provides a separate app for managing job opportunities and earnings. Revenue is generated from the cleaning gigs, with pricing ranging from $2 to $10 per job, allowing workers to earn a meaningful income. The company has expanded its services to include business clients, offering customizable cleaning packages with flexible scheduling options (daily, weekly, or monthly) for offices.

A core component of Gwijico's model is its focus on social impact and worker empowerment. All cleaners undergo a vetting process, including background checks, and receive training to ensure quality service delivery. Beyond connecting them to work, the company runs several programs for the women on its platform. These include 'Gwiji Chama', a savings and loan program for entrepreneurship; 'Gwiji Afya', an educational program on feminine hygiene and reproductive health; and 'Gwiji Linda Mama', which offers legal and mental health support for victims of domestic violence. The company's impact is demonstrated by its milestones of empowering over 2,000 women and fulfilling more than 10,000 orders. In 2023, Elizabeth Mwangi won the Aurora Tech Award, securing a $30,000 grant for the startup.

Keywords: on-demand cleaning, home cleaning services, office cleaning services, gig economy, social impact startup, women empowerment, Nairobi, Kenya, mobile application, domestic workers, Mama Fua, service platform, jobtech, B2C services, residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, vetted cleaners, financial inclusion, digital economy, scheduling platform