The whole world is talking about chatbots and artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to make research easier, but many of these tools lack updated and relevant information for smaller populations like Namibia.
Mukulili AI is an innovative tool designed specifically to address the unique challenges faced by local businesses.
THE ‘AHA” MOMENT
Founder Ash Muchenga says the idea came after identifying a significant gap in accessible, practical information for Namibian brands and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various sectors.
“We kept noticing a recurring barrier – the lack of accessible, practical information.
As we dug deeper, it became clear that this wasn’t just a retail issue, it was a widespread challenge affecting MSMEs across different sectors.
That was our ‘aha’ moment,” he says.
Muchenga says ‘Mukulili’ is derived from the Oshiwambo word ‘kukulila’, meaning ‘to succeed’.
“We wanted a name that’s culturally relevant and instantly reflective of our mission.
That symbolism is central to everything Mukulili stands for. It represents growth, progress, and empowerment,” he says.
DESIGNED FOR LOCAL PROBLEMS
Muchenga says global AI platforms often miss the mark or provide information that’s out of touch with the realities faced by Namibians.
“One of the key reasons we decided to develop our own AI was the realisation that most global platforms, like ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Claude AI tend to be quite broad in their responses.”
Mukulili AI is meticulously trained on Namibia’s specific market dynamics, regulatory landscape, and the practical challenges faced by local MSMEs.
Muchenga says this approach ensures that the guidance provided is not only accurate but also relevant to the Namibian context, whether it’s about business registration, loan applications, or product pricing.
Since many Namibian businesses operate informally and may not have access to high-end devices or fast internet, the platform was designed to be lightweight, minimalistic, and accessible across most devices without the need for app downloads or complex navigation, he says.
Mukulili AI requires no sign-up forms or complicated on-boarding, making it user-friendly even for those operating informally.
“While internet access in remote areas remains a broader challenge, Mukulili has been engineered to be as easy, fast, and inclusive as possible from a software perspective,” Muchenga says.
The platform itself is trained on real market insights drawing from local case studies, MSME challenges, and Namibian business dynamics.
“It was important to us that the AI isn’t just smart, but contextually relevant.
That was the goal.”
Mukulili AI is completely free to use, making it accessible to everyone.
Muchenga says this open access is balanced with a sustainable business model.
“While Mukulili remains a free public resource, its underlying engine powers a wider ecosystem of tech products and services that support our long-term sustainability,” he says.
OVERCOMING BIAS
Muchenga says one anticipated challenge is the perception that global platforms are inherently superior.
“That perception can sometimes overshadow home-grown innovation, even when it’s more relevant and useful to local users.”
He says his team is proactively tackling this through an upcoming campaign, titled ‘Not Silicon Valley’.
“One potential challenge we anticipate is perception. Some people may assume that because platforms like ChatGPT come from Silicon Valley, they’re automatically more advanced or better suited, even when those tools aren’t made for our context,” Muchenga says.
He says the initiative aims to remind Namibians that Mukulili was “built by us, for us”.
“It understands our realities, our markets, and our journeys,” he says.
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