Robert Lang’at, a visionary entrepreneur turned a meager Ksh50,000 investment into a thriving tech company that stands at the forefront of Kenya’s digital communication industry.
Lang’at’s journey began with a dream and limited resources.
Armed with a passion for technology and a keen eye for opportunities, he founded Mobitech Technologies, a bulk SMS company, in 2012.
“With the little resources I had at the time, personal savings and contributions from friends, I started Mobitech Technologies from home. Then I moved to a shared office after getting a few clients. Later, I secured the required business permits and moved to our own office,” says Mr Langat.
His background as a telecommunications engineer provided him with a unique perspective, allowing him to identify a gap in the market that Mobitech Technologies could fill.
“I was in the IT and telecommunications field creating mobile applications. Then I saw the gap in the market to offer bulk SMS solutions and other IT-related services to businesses and institutions,” he claims.
One of the significant milestones for Mobitech Technologies was securing partnerships with major telecom providers such as Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya.
These collaborations enabled Lang’at’s company to offer a user-friendly web-based portal, empowering clients to manage their SMS campaigns efficiently.
“We started by creating a great product and building good customer relations. We have a web-based portal that we create accounts for their customers that they have full control over. They simply log in, upload their customer contacts and send them SMS,”
From learning institutions and saccos to churches and government institutions, Mobitech Technologies began serving a diverse clientele, establishing a strong foothold in the industry.
The path to success was not without its hurdles. The bulk SMS industry is fiercely competitive, with new entrants constantly vying for market share.
Additionally, regulatory fees and the unforeseen challenges brought by the pandemic posed significant obstacles.
However, Lang’at’s strategic vision and adaptability allowed Mobitech Technologies to navigate these challenges successfully.
Today, Mobitech Technologies boasts a loyal customer base of over 1,000 clients, ranging from learning institutions and supermarkets to casinos and government agencies.
“We charge a flat rate of 35 cents per SMS across all networks in Kenya. We don’t charge any monthly maintenance fees or set up fees. There is no expiry period on the SMS purchased. For a sender name, we charge a one-time fee of Sh6,800 per telco,” says Mr Lang’at.
Moreover, Mobitech Technologies plans to expand its operations to Uganda and Tanzania, with an overarching goal of establishing a pan-African presence.
“We also intend to expand our network outside Nairobi to other parts of the country where people don’t know us and our products and services yet,” he says.