Interview with Christelle Grâce Zinny, founder of Maniafi: the digital transport revolution in Cameroon✨

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In this interview, Christelle Grâce Zinny, founder of Maniafi, talks about her online transport booking platform. It simplifies trip management, ensuring security and making travelers’ lives easier in Cameroon. Discover her insights on the challenges and opportunities of this innovation in the digital transport sector.

How did you come up with the idea of creating Maniafi, an platform that allows users to book travel tickets online ?🤷🏾‍♀️

Christelle Grâce Zinny, founder of Maniafi, explains that the idea came from her personal experience in the automotive industry. Noticing the difficulties of booking transport tickets online in Cameroon, she wanted to provide a reliable digital solution. Maniafi allows travelers to book tickets for various means of transport (bus, train, airplane) online, guaranteeing a secure and fast service.

« The idea came to me because I manufacture vehicles: buses, trains, and cars. I have over ten years of experience in the automotive industry, and seeing that this solution didn’t yet exist in Cameroon, I wanted to contribute my expertise. I noticed how difficult it was for travelers to book their tickets and saw an opportunity to make a difference.

Moreover, something that is close to my heart is that Maniafi is a tribute to my mother, as it is her name. Maniafi helps travelers organize their trips stress-free, whether by bus, train, or plane. We have already purchased over 500 tickets for passengers, regardless of the company, covering all three modes of transport. »

How long has the project been running? What challenges do you face?😔

« Maniafi has been operating since 2023. Our first client booked in June 2023, so we are still a young company, just about a year and a half old.

One of the main challenges is the lack of trust among travelers, mainly due to frequent online scams. Many people have lost money trying to buy tickets online. Just recently, a customer wanted to book a ticket with Touristique without going to the agency. Since she didn’t know about Maniafi, she ended up dealing with a scammer who made her fill out an online form. Without realizing it, she entered her Orange Money code, allowing the fraudsters to drain her account. This kind of situation happens often. »

Many travelers lose their hard-earned money while trying to buy tickets. My team and I are doing our best to restore trust and provide a secure solution.

« Maniafi positions itself as a reliable booking service that provides travelers with clear information about transport agencies, schedules, and fares, without the risk of fraud.

We also offer a complete travel solution: for instance, a traveler going from Maroua to Douala may need multiple transport segments (bus, train, then another bus). We take care of organizing everything so they can travel smoothly without worrying about reservations or payments. »

How do you ensure the security and confidentiality of Maniafi’s customers?🤔

« To guarantee secure payments, we exclusively use Orange Money and MTN Mobile Money. Customers pay directly into our account, and we handle transactions with transport agencies. One major issue with travel agencies is that they have multiple contact numbers, which confuses customers and makes scams easier. »

Maniafi has only one official contact number: 694 10 52 57. This is the only channel to use for all bookings.

« Regarding confidentiality, we handle customer information directly, without intermediaries. To book a ticket, customers often need to provide their ID, but this information remains strictly between them and us. Moreover, once a client books with us for the first time, their information is securely stored, making future reservations easier.

Scammers often pose as transport agencies, whereas most agencies don’t even sell tickets online. Maniafi, on the other hand, is an official company with physical offices in Mendong. We do not pose as a transport agency, but we collaborate with them to facilitate online reservations. »

How does Maniafi work, from booking to ticket collection ?🚞

« The process is simple. Customers can contact us via WhatsApp or by phone at 694 10 52 57. We decided to maintain a direct phone line for those who don’t necessarily have internet access. »

Here’s how it works:

1. The customer contacts us via call, message, or WhatsApp.
2. They provide their travel details (date, destination, preferred transport mode, class, etc.).
3. We find the best available option and make the reservation.
4. Once the booking is confirmed, the customer makes a secure payment through Maniafi.
5. We then send all necessary details (ticket photo, seat number, etc.).
6. On the travel day, the customer collects their ticket directly at the agency counter.

« We have also introduced a ‘Pay Later’ system, similar to what exists in the airline industry. This means we can reserve the ticket first and allow the customer to pay after confirmation, significantly reducing the risk of fraud. »

What challenges does Maniafi face today, given that the concept is still new ?👦🏽

« The first challenge is that we are a young company, which means we still need to gain transport operators’ trust. Even though we have already proven our reliability with numerous successful bookings, some transport providers are still hesitant to collaborate with us.

Ideally, we would like them to allow us to buy tickets directly by phone without needing to go to their offices. This would make our service faster and more efficient. Currently, the time we spend contacting or visiting agencies slows down the process.

The second challenge concerns the customer service of transport agencies. Even though we do our best to ensure a smooth experience, some agencies don’t always follow through in terms of service quality. Travelers may face issues like delays, vehicle breakdowns, or long queues at ticket counters. We are working to raise awareness among agencies to improve the overall travel experience. »

How are you promoting Maniafi? Is it an app? A website? A WhatsApp-based service ? 🤔

For now, Maniafi is not yet an app, but we are very active on social media. Our primary communication channels are WhatsApp and phone (694 10 52 57).

« We are also present on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram under the name ‘Maniafi.’ Our pages help travelers learn about our services and direct them to our WhatsApp number for bookings.

Additionally, we have a website: www.maniafi.com. This site provides information about our services and makes it easier for customers to contact us. »

In summary, Maniafi is revolutionizing the transport sector in Cameroon by offering a simple and secure digital solution for booking tickets. Despite some challenges, such as building trust with transport operators and gaining user confidence, the platform aims to establish itself as a key player in the sector, with solutions tailored to travelers’ needs.