Chatbot in South Africa (RSA): Top 10 Vendors in 2025

Businesses in South Africa can benefit from conversational AI. WhatsApp boasts a 96% monthly usage rate among South African internet users, and AI-related searches in Africa grew by 270% in the past year.¹ Therefore, you should capitalize on your audience’s comfort level with conversational AI tools. 

We have compiled a list of 10 chatbot vendors and their features that cater to the South African market.

Top 10 vendors of chatbots in South Africa

Types of chatbot companies: 

• Global conversational artificial intelligence providers with offices in South Africa 
• Regional conversational AI tech providers that provide services to South Africa
• Local conversational AI agencies/chatbot providers

All of the vendors have these feature in common:

• English language support
• WhatsApp & Facebook integration
• Live agent handoff
• Basic analytics/reporting
• Click-to-chat ads support
• Multi-channel deployment

Global conversational AI/chatbot providers

1. IBM Watson Assistant

IBM Watson Assistant is one of the largest global chatbot vendors, offering local South African support.

Pros

• No-code platform: The drag-and-drop interface and pre-built configurations make it easy for non-technical users to create and implement bots.
• Advanced AI capabilities: The bot can learn from its experiences and improve over time using machine learning techniques.
• Omnichannel deployment: Offers a consistent customer experience across phone channels, mobile apps, the internet, and messaging platforms.

Cons

• Expensive: For startups and SMEs, enterprise pricing can be costly.
• Intricate configuration: Advanced functionalities require extensive data preparation and technical expertise.
• Limited data analysis: Unlike specialized analytics tools, reporting features are relatively basic.

2. Microsoft Azure Bot Service

Azure Bot Service provides chatbot development tools designed for enterprises, featuring integration options specifically for Microsoft-centric organizations.

Pros

• Microsoft ecosystem integration: Interaction with Office 365, Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft programs.
• Flexible pricing: The pay-per-use model allows for cost control based on actual bot usage.
• Developer-friendly: Comprehensive SDK and development resources for customized solutions

Cons

• Technical complexity: Coding expertise is required for advanced functionality and customization.
• Insufficient documentation: There are fewer tutorials and community resources compared to other platforms.
• Steep learning curve: It is not suitable for non-technical users without help from developers.

Regional conversational AI/chatbot providers

3. FCB.ai

FCB.ai focuses on developing chatbots customized for financial services and insurance firms throughout Africa, emphasizing compliance and security features.

Pros

• Security integration: Connected to cryptography technologies for KYC processes and document verification.
• Regional knowledge: Understanding of African market demands and financial regulations.

Cons

• Few reviews: There aren’t enough user reviews available for a thorough assessment.
• Limited focus: It primarily serves the financial sector, which limits its applicability to other industries.

4. Proto

Proto functions throughout Africa and Southeast Asia, offering basic chatbot services tailored for emerging markets.

Pros

• Emerging market focus: Designed for business environments in Southeast Asia and Africa.
• Rich media support: Manages interactive surveys, buttons, links, and images.
• Automated workflows: Includes integrated case management and ticketing tools.

Cons

• Limited historical data: User reviews and case studies are few.
• Basic functionality only: Offers essential features without advanced AI capabilities.

5. Clickatell

Clickatell, initially established in South Africa, has branched out in the region with business messaging and chatbot services.

Pros

• Regional heritage: Deep understanding of South African business and market dynamics.
• Messaging proficiency: Strong command of WhatsApp, SMS, and various messaging platforms.
• Scalable platform: Handles substantial communication volumes for enterprise clients.

6. CM.com

A European firm has a substantial presence in the South African market, with a focus on effective customer communication and engagement.

Pros

• Multi-channel strategy: Integrates chat, email, SMS, and voice into one platform.
• Focus on customer engagement: Managing the customer journey and utilizing marketing automation tools.
• Local assistance: Providing dedicated support and maintaining a presence in the South African market.

Cons

• Longer implementation: Complex platforms demand more technical expertise and setup time.

Local conversational AI/chatbot providers

7. Botlhale AI

Botlhale is one of South Africa’s indigenous AI firms that provides voice-enabled chatbots that support a wide range of African languages.

Pros

• Proficiency in African languages: Supports eight African languages, including Setswana, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, and Sepedi.
• Voice capabilities: Speech-to-text and text-to-speech in regional languages.
• Local development: Developed by South Africans to meet the demands of the African market.

Cons

• Restricted global reach: Infrastructure for multi-country deployments is less extensive than that of foreign vendors.
• Higher development costs: Premium fees may be needed for specialized African language features.
• Fewer integrations: Has fewer connections to third-party platforms than well-known international players.

8. Gotbot

A local South African vendor provides chatbot solutions tailored for specific industries, emphasizing sales and marketing automation.

Pros

• Industry customization: Pre-configured solutions for the retail, financial, and insurance industries.
• Optimizing sales: Integrated cross-selling and upselling capabilities.
• Local comprehension: Familiarity with South African laws and business processes.

Cons

• Limited scalability: High-volume enterprise deployments could be complicated.
• Limited AI capabilities: Emphasize sales automation while restricting advanced conversational AI functionalities.
• Vendor dependency: A smaller company size may lead to potential risks in business continuity.

9. BotsZA

A South African agency specializing in chatbot development, focusing on multi-platform deployment and custom solutions.

Pros

• Platform Flexibility: Creates chatbots for WeChat, Telegram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and bespoke APIs.
• Custom development: Solutions made to meet certain business needs

Cons

• High development cost: Compared to platform-based solutions, custom solutions involve a higher upfront cost.
• Extended implementation time: Bespoke development typically requires much longer than platform-based development.
• No self-service option: Businesses cannot implement improvements without the assistance of developers.

10. Hi.guru

A local provider specializing in integrating chatbots with existing AI platforms.

Pros

• Knowledge of integration: Focuses on integrating large platforms for conversational solutions.
• Hybrid strategy: Combines multiple AI systems to enhance performance.
• Local assistance: Provides technical support and implementation services based in South Africa.

Cons

• Several licensing fees: Requires payment for the underlying AI platforms as well as Hi.guru services.
• Troubleshooting issues: Coordination among multiple vendors may be required to resolve problems.
• Insufficient innovation: Dependent on external systems to deliver new features and functionalities.

Case studies of chatbot implementation in South Africa

1. MTN South Africa’s AI assistant SiYa

MTN South Africa’s AI-powered chatbot “SiYa,” named after Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, was introduced in late 2023. The chatbot, intended to enhance internal processes and redefine customer engagement, serves as a solution that interacts with both employees and customers.²

Among SiYa’s skills are:

• Support for employees: Quick, contextually appropriate support for routine tasks and staff inquiries.
• Advice for customers: Assisting clients with service requests and device purchases.
• Human cooperation: Smooth transitions to human advisors when necessary.
• Multi-channel implementation: Integration across the various communication platforms offered by MTN.

With an emphasis on network operations, improved customer service, and customer value management, this deployment complements MTN’s broader AI ambition to transform into a digital platform company.

2. South African Government Services – Digital Assistance Program

South African government agencies are adopting new AI-enabled chatbots to provide 24/7 assistance in navigating government procedures, such as registering property titles or obtaining a driver’s license, in line with global trends in government digitization.³
The government chatbot project consists of:

• Navigation of services: Clear guidance for navigating complex bureaucratic procedures.
• Help with documents: Support with completing forms and necessary paperwork.
• Support for multiple languages: Offering services in South Africa’s official languages.
• Available around the clock: Information on government services available 24/7.
• Shorter wait times: Swift responses to frequently asked questions, reducing call center workloads.

By utilizing conversational AI technology, this project showcases South Africa’s commitment to digital transformation and improved citizen services.

3. Momentum Metropolitan Life

During the pandemic, Momentum Metropolitan Life, a South African insurance firm, faced a substantial backlog of unresolved claims and high call volumes.⁴

In 4 months, they developed a WhatsApp bot that was able to:

• Connect to +10,000 users across different channels 
• Handle 1.8M conversations in a year, with +95% accuracy
• Provide +40,000 tax certificates and insurance policy statements on WhatsApp 

Further reading

• Chatbot Pricing
• Chatbot vs ChatGPT: Understanding the Differences & Features
• Use Cases & Examples of Retail Chatbots

External sources

External Links

• 1. African Union committed to developing AI capabilities in Africa | African Union.
• 2. MTN South Africa takes new AI step as it launches chatbot.
• 3. Gen AI in Africa: Unlocking potential | McKinsey. McKinsey & Company
• 4. Momentum Metropolitan Life Embraces Chatbots for Better CX.