Zambian Startup Caantin uses AI to transform debt collection for lenders

Caantin, a Zambian-founded but pan-African startup, has built AI agents that automate debt collections for lenders across voice, SMS, and WhatsApp. 

Caantin, a Zambian-founded and pan-African startup, is leveraging artificial intelligence to automate debt collection processes across multiple communication channels, including voice, SMS, and WhatsApp.

Established in January 2025 by serial entrepreneur Njavwa Mutambo, Caantin has developed an AI-powered system that manages the entire collections cycle for lenders, from customer outreach to compliance monitoring, without human intervention.

“In essence, we’re replacing traditional human agents with AI that operates around the clock, cuts costs, and boosts recovery rates,” Mutambo explained.

According to him, inefficient and outdated collection methods cost lenders billions worldwide. “Manual dialers are costly and time-consuming, while human agents often struggle to maintain consistency or scale effectively,” he said.

Caantin’s AI-driven platform aims to solve these challenges through automation and scalability. The company is currently active in Nigeria and Kenya, where it reports strong adoption and early success.

Among its clients are NSBI, a U.S.-based collections agency; OxygenX, a subsidiary of Access Bank; and Fairmoney. Mutambo noted that these customers have seen 18–22% improvements in recovery rates and up to 60% reductions in operational costs since adopting Caantin’s technology.

Despite being largely bootstrapped, Caantin has achieved profitability, supported by early backers and long-term enterprise contracts. The company is now preparing for further expansion.

“We’re planning to enter the UK and South African markets in the first quarter of next year and are exploring strategic partnerships with major fintech players,” said Mutambo.

By automating one of the most labor-intensive areas of financial services, Caantin is positioning itself at the forefront of AI adoption in Africa’s growing fintech ecosystem.