Fikra API Launches AI Inference API for African Developers

Kenya-based Fikra API has launched an artificial intelligence inference API specifically designed for the African market. The service aims to lower the barriers to AI adoption for developers and businesses across the continent.

Founded by James Miano earlier this year, Fikra API offers an OpenAI-compatible interface but with pricing and payment methods adapted to local conditions, such as M-Pesa, rather than U.S. dollars. This approach significantly differs from global providers who typically use USD-denominated pricing and international payment methods.

Miano highlights two primary obstacles for African developers seeking to use AI services: high initial costs and limited payment options. "If you are a developer or startup founder in Nairobi, Lagos, or Cape Town and want to build an AI-powered product, the standard path is OpenAI or Anthropic. Both require a minimum spend of around US$20 before you can access the API," Miano told Disrupt Africa. "That figure sounds small, but in Nairobi US$20 is close to a week's salary for many people." He also notes that most Africans do not possess credit cards, a common requirement for many global AI API providers.

Fikra API addresses these challenges. The startup, which is entirely bootstrapped, has already onboarded its first 10 users shortly after launch. They have also developed two proprietary models: an embedding model ready for inference and Fikra Nano 1B, a lighter-weight model. These models, combined with local payment solutions and competitive pricing, aim to make AI more accessible.

The service is currently operational in Kenya, with expansion plans covering the entire continent. Payments are processed via Paystack, which supports various mobile money services, including M-Pesa. Fikra's pricing model is US$1 per two million tokens, with a single flat rate instead of separate input and output pricing, unlike many competitors. The company's goal is to make AI adoption as smooth and accessible as possible for all African developers.