Religious Apps and Softwares for Africans

Technology is disrupting how we do things. From how we interact to how we do business, to how we learn, to how we get entertained, etc. The list goes on and on.

A sector most people are not paying attention to (especially in Africa) in this technology revolution is the faith-based sector. However, in recent years, there’s been a growth in the integration of technology into how people worship and practise their religion.

With the global pandemic and the social distancing that came along in 2020 and 2021, the number of religious organisations to embrace technology will inevitably keep growing.

Here are 6 made in Africa religious apps and softwares currently operating and could be the vanguard of new religious tools that will emerge in coming years. They are Kuza App, Asoriba, Yookos, Church Plus, Muslim Directory and Pastor Chris Digital Library.

1. Kuza App

Developed by Kubamba Krew and Kuza ministry, the Kuza app provides digital discipleship materials for African youths. Kuza helps young people grow their personal relationships with God through short devotions, blogs, videos, and podcasts.

The content of the smartphone app is created by East Africans. The app was created for East African youths who make up a large percentage of the population. For instance, 75% of the Kenyan population are under 35, 98% of Kenyans own a phone and over 50% own a smartphone. Currently, more than 10,000+ people have downloaded the app.

2. Asoriba

Asoriba is a web based management software for churches that enables seamless church administration for effective member engagement. Launched in September 2014 at Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology where the four founders were students.

The technology company enables effective church administration for leaders, and seamless engagement with members via mobile phones (apps & SMS). It also makes it easy to pay tithes and offerings through phones via mobile money and cards. Asoriba also provides tailor made financial services to the church.

Asoriba which means “child of the church” in Twi, emerged as Seedstars best startup in Africa in 2016. The startup is supported by Techstars and Interswitch. Asoriba operates in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

3. Yookos

Yookos is an online social networking service that permits users to create a personalised space which can be used as an internet business card. It was founded in 2011 by the leadership of Christ Embassy International and was initially used by church members. Later it was opened up for public access.

Yookos, which means “Your own world” receives more than half of its traffic from Nigeria and the remaining come from South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America and Zimbabwe. The app presently has 10,000+ on play store.

4. Church Plus

Founded in 2012 by Ihesia Peter, Churchplus.co provides easy to use cloud based church management solutions through A.I. to automate the entire church management.

It helps to track church attendance, first time guest retention, church remittance to overall church administration and receiving donations from anywhere across the globe in seconds.

5. Muslim Directory

Muslim directory is a digital book and website which makes valuable resources available to the Muslim community living, visiting, or relocating to South Africa. The purpose of Muslim Directory is to create an Islamic network, give insights into Islam and provide a guide to services for Muslims in South Africa.

It lists almost every South African Muslim service from Businesses, Halaal restaurants, Halaal accommodation, health guides, fasting guides, Masajid, Musallahs, Salaah times, etc.

6. Pastor Chris Digital Library

Another technology from Christ Embassy International which has been installed more than 100,000 times on Play Store. The Pastor Chris Digital Library is a mobile platform that enables users to access hundreds of audio and video messages by Pastor Chris.

Users can explore various life issues, such as Healing and Health, Faith, Christian Living, Fellowship with the Holy Spirit, Prayer, Prosperity and Finance, from anywhere at any time.