Balancing professional and parental responsibilities has led many families to entrust their children to daycare centers, nurseries, or nannies. In Mali, a tech entrepreneur has introduced a tailored solution to address this challenge.

MaNounou is a digital platform developed by Malian startup La Classe de Bintou. Designed for parents, it connects them with qualified nannies for young children in their area. Founded by Bintou Doumbia and based in Bamako, the start-up addresses a growing need for reliable childcare solutions in Mali.

“The platform also enables daycare centers, preschools, and other childcare professionals to offer their services to parents in need. MaNounou provides unemployed young women with degrees the chance to train in early childhood care and apply their skills in a professional environment,” explains the startup.

The platform operates through a mobile app. After downloading the app, users create an account to access a range of services. These include viewing detailed nanny profiles—complete with experience, qualifications, schedules, and parent reviews—and using an integrated messaging system for secure, direct communication. Parents can also filter searches by specific criteria to find the ideal nanny for their needs.

To ensure the safety and quality of its services, MaNounou rigorously verifies all profiles on its platform. Hiring a nanny through MaNounou is formalized with contracts available for secure online signing, offering protection for both parties throughout the agreement period.

In 2024, MaNounou won the Malian stage of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM), earning a prize of 5 million CFA francs (approximately $7,973) and a ticket to the international round of the POESAM competition.

Adoni Conrad Quenum