Kolawole Bekes, founder and CEO of WakaMi, is stepping into a problem many Nigerians in the diaspora know too well—how difficult it is to get simple tasks done back home without stress, uncertainty, or loss. With WakaMi, Bekes is building an emerging errand marketplace designed to bring structure and accountability to a space that has long relied on informal, trust-based arrangements.
The idea is rooted in personal experience. After a failed attempt to get an errand completed remotely, Bekes identified a deeper issue beyond inconvenience—the lack of reliable systems for executing everyday tasks across borders. WakaMi is his response, offering a platform that connects users to verified service providers while introducing a layer of oversight that is often missing in traditional arrangements.
At its core, WakaMi is positioning itself as a trust infrastructure rather than just an errand service. By structuring how tasks are assigned, tracked, and completed—and tying payments to verified outcomes—the platform aims to reduce the risks that come with relying on personal networks or unverified agents. This model speaks directly to a diaspora audience that wants more control and visibility over what happens at home.
WakaMi’s emergence reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, where founders are beginning to explore solutions beyond fintech to address everyday coordination problems. As remittances continue to play a central role in the economy, platforms like WakaMi are attempting to extend their utility—moving from simply sending money to ensuring that money translates into real-world outcomes.
Still in its early stages, WakaMi’s long-term impact will depend on its ability to scale trust while maintaining service quality across locations. For Bekes, the journey is just beginning, but the ambition is clear: to build a system that makes distance less of a barrier, and everyday tasks back home far more predictable for Nigerians abroad.
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