Our Story
From a thesis question
to a mission.
Senti began as an MSc Data Science research project at the University of Dar es Salaam. An investigation into whether machine learning could create credit scores for informal waste workers using nothing but their collection data.
Why can't a waste picker get a loan?
They earn. They show up every day. They work consistently. But without transaction records, they're invisible to formal finance. No credit history. No financial identity. No access to the services that could transform their lives.
We started with that question. The research proved the concept: operational data like weighments, payment frequency and consistency patterns can predict creditworthiness as effectively as traditional credit bureau data.
But then we saw something bigger. The waste economy isn't just about workers needing loans. It's an entire supply chain worth billions globally, running on paper ledgers, handshake deals, and gut feeling. No data. No optimization. No intelligence.
We named this company Senti because we believe every small transaction matters. Every weighment counts. Every worker's consistency speaks for itself.
The Name
Why "Senti"?
In Swahili, "senti" means cent, the smallest denomination. When people say "senti senti," they mean something insignificant. Too small to count.
We believe the opposite. Small transactions, added up across weeks, months, and years, tell the story of a worker who shows up every day. That story is invisible to banks. We make it visible.
Kila senti inahesabika.
Every cent counts.
The Journey
Research → Startup → Scale
2024 – 2025
Research Phase
MSc thesis at UDSM under Dr. Jimmy Mbelwa. Built the data pipeline, collected transaction data from collection centres, developed and validated ML credit scoring models with 4,000+ waste worker records.
2025
Senti Eco: The Platform
Launched the collection centre management PWA. Digital weighments, worker profiles, credit scoring, savings, loans, payment tracking. The operational layer that feeds the intelligence engine.
2025 – 2026
Supply Chain Expansion
Extended beyond credit scoring into full supply chain intelligence, including inventory management, demand forecasting, pricing analytics, and trade financing for the entire waste value chain.
2026 →
Scale Across East Africa
Scaling the platform across collection centres and waste businesses in Tanzania and beyond. Building partnerships with municipalities, recyclers, and financial institutions.
Want to be part of the story?
Whether you're an investor, a partner, or just someone who believes every senti counts, reach out.