A Nigerian entrepreneur, Ifeanyi Aneke has developed an App called StoneCircle to tackle personal insecurity.
Unveiling the App in Lagos, Aneke who is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Limestone said the App which is installed in mobile phones, when triggered provides instant panic alerts, live tracking and real-time coordination between family members, neighbors’ and co-workers when safety is threatened.
Aneke said the App was developed to address Nigeria’s unabated security and safety challenges as it equips individuals and communities with digital tools to connect with trusted contacts during emergencies.
The App allows individuals to create personal safety groups called circles in their phones for instant communication during emergencies.
The App is activated when the individual notices danger and it sends real-time, location-based panic alerts directly to the trusted contacts to accelerate response.
The chief executive officer, said “StoneCircle comes at a critical time when the need for accessible, reliable safety solutions in Nigeria has never been greater. We’re proud to deliver a product that not only connects people to the help they need in real time but also redefines how individuals and communities protect lives and properties. By blending cutting-edge innovation with deep local understanding, StoneCircle is setting a new standard for scalable, tech-driven security across Nigeria.”
He also said that the App helps residents in gated communities, care-takers by assisting them manage residents, monitor payment of dues, manage access codes, purchase electricity, and submit complaints.
According to him, during pilot tests, StoneCircle has helped drive over N27m digital payment adoption among paying households, recording transaction success rate of 95% and with average panic-to-acknowledge time of three seconds.
Asked what happens when phone is stolen, Aneke, former Microsoft technology specialist said Limestone is developing wearable system that would also allow users to trigger distress alerts.
“Limestone is committed to transforming how people experience safety, communication, and daily living within their communities,” Aneke added. “With StoneCircle and our broader suite of products, we’re delivering practical, locally relevant technology that simplifies daily routines and strengthens trust within neighborhoods.”
He said Trust and data protection Limestone operates under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA). User data is encrypted in transit and at rest, it is processed under data-minimization principles, and chats and interactions are end-to-end encrypted, and the platform undergoes periodic third-party security testing.
Speaking to BusinessDay, Aneke former Microsoft IT expert said with more talented young Nigerians developing apps that offer solutions across various sectors, there should be growing need for greater support through sponsorships and capacity-building initiatives to help them thrive and contribute more to the economy.
He acknowledged that the present government is doing a lot in terms of initiatives to bring App developers together which is in the right direction, but said more is needed to help the industry grow.
“We need to have the right tools and right platform for App developers to learn to do better. Though there is improvement, but when you compare what is here and in other parts of the world, it is obvious Nigeria is lacking”, he said.
