Technology platform StayAssist says it aims to build a digital marketplace for short stays, mobility services, and local experiences as it expands across cities in Nigeria and plans entry into other African markets.
The company, founded in 2025, links travellers, business professionals, and commuters with hosts through a digital system designed to support discovery, booking, and movement within cities. It said the model focuses on verification, user access, and a loyalty structure tied to service delivery and repeat use.
Speaking on the company’s direction, Lengkat Gerlong, Business Development and Partnership Lead, said the platform was created to respond to a gap in trust across online short-stay listings in many cities on the continent.
“Across many African cities, users are still uncertain about the safety, reliability, or quality of short-stay listings they find online. Our goal with StayAssist is to remove that uncertainty by building a marketplace anchored on verification and accountability,” Gerlong said.
The company said its operating structure rests on three areas: host verification, user access, and rewards-led engagement. These are being integrated into its marketplace through loyalty systems and gamified features introduced as part of its 2026 scale-up plan.
“We are not just helping people book accommodation; we are creating a trusted ecosystem where verified hosts are rewarded for quality service delivery and users benefit from consistent experiences across cities,” Gerlong said.
StayAssist listed recent progress, including expansion to more cities within Nigeria, growth in its network of verified hosts, media exposure, and the launch of loyalty features to drive repeat bookings.
Looking ahead, the company said its focus for 2026 will centre on strengthening verification processes, widening access for users in urban areas with limited options, and entering more African markets.
“Trust will determine the winners in Africa’s growing short-stay and mobility economy. Our long-term ambition is to become the first platform users instinctively turn to when they need accommodation or local mobility solutions anywhere on the continent,” Gerlong said.
