A woman in rural Lagos opens WhatsApp and types, “Hi Moma.” Within seconds, she gets a response—clear, personalised, and based on her stage of pregnancy. The pain she felt last night suddenly makes more sense.
She hasn’t been to a hospital this month.
But she isn’t alone.
Moma, an AI-powered maternal health assistant built by Solayo Africa, is designed for moments like this—the quiet, uncertain gaps between symptoms and care.
Solayo Africa Maternal Care System Inside WhatsApp
Founded by Oladiipo Damilola, alongside Theresa Oyewole and George Odiana, Solayo Africa is building a maternal care system inside WhatsApp. No apps to download. No complex onboarding. Just a familiar platform millions already use daily.
Through Moma, women receive weekly pregnancy guidance, symptom checks, breastfeeding support, and infant care tips—all in real time. When needed, they can be connected to human medical professionals.
The problem it addresses is urgent. Nigeria accounts for over a quarter of global maternal deaths. Many of these deaths happen not because care is unavailable, but because it comes too late.
Conditions like eclampsia, haemorrhage, and sepsis are largely preventable when detected early. But for many women, especially in underserved areas, recognising danger signs—or knowing when to act—remains a challenge.
Solayo is closing that gap.
Solayo Closing The Gap
Moma translates medical guidance into everyday language.
A woman can describe her symptoms and receive clear direction: monitor at home or go to a clinic. After childbirth, the support continues—tracking recovery, baby development, and vaccination schedules.
The decision to build on WhatsApp is central to its impact. Across Africa, WhatsApp is one of the most accessible digital tools—used across income levels and requiring minimal data. It removes the friction that often comes with traditional health apps.
The Market Place For Mothers
But Solayo goes beyond information.
The platform also integrates a marketplace where mothers can purchase essential delivery items in a single package, rather than sourcing them piecemeal. It connects users to hospitals and HMOs, ensuring digital advice leads to physical care when necessary.
In other words, it meets women where they are—and follows through.
Behind the scenes, Moma handles thousands of routine questions daily, while more complex cases are escalated to healthcare professionals. This blend of automation and human support allows the platform to scale without losing trust.
Privacy is also a priority. User interactions are encrypted, and data is not shared with third parties—an important reassurance in a space where digital health safeguards are still evolving.
Solayo’s model is built for sustainability. Revenue from subscriptions and marketplace sales reduces the company’s dependence on donor funding, giving it room to grow on its own terms.
Maternal Care – One Message Away
And growth is part of the vision.
With millions of births across Africa each year and persistent gaps in maternal healthcare, the model is easily adaptable to other markets where WhatsApp dominates, and access remains limited.
Also Read: How To Teach Your Children Your Nigerian Language
At its core, Solayo is making a simple but powerful bet: that the right information, delivered at the right time, can save lives.
For the woman typing “Hi Moma” in the middle of the night, it already has.
Because sometimes, the difference between panic and clarity—between risk and safety—is just one message away.
