The FactCheck Initiative (FCI) and IDC Platforms have launched Kaci Help v2.1 (Know, Act, Care, Inform), a renewed digital companion designed to strengthen safety, mental health support, and climate accountability for Nigerians.

Reflecting on Kaci’s journey from Zuri, a WhatsApp chatbot in 2020, to Kaci Help in 2022 and its first mobile release in 2023, founder Adeoye Temitope said the Joint Emergency Response and Citizen Engagement (JERCE) framework was proposed as part of the platform’s vision for structured citizen engagement.

While public institutions were engaged and acknowledged Kaci’s potential, highlighting certain operational gaps, no formal decision or follow-up has been communicated by them to date.

“That changed everything,” Temitope said. “Guardians, family, and friends had to come first in the SOS Emergency and TravelSafe features, because they never give up until help arrives.” This approach reshaped Kaci’s focus on data security and citizen safety, extending its role beyond direct emergency response.

User anonymity remains central to Kaci Help. Features such as iReport, Consultation, and Beep posts protect identities by default, using strict access controls and encryption to ensure citizens can safely report issues and seek support.

At the heart of the release is Beep, a first-of-its-kind community feature that allows users to share posts openly or anonymously, publish climate results, interact through likes, saves, reports, hashtags, and filter posts by location.

Live Chat enables real-time engagement with agencies, while Consultation tools let users seek advice from relevant authorities. Subscription services ensure the platform remains sustainable and continues to grow.

A major addition is HMO access, allowing users to subscribe to verified Health Maintenance Organizations directly through the app. Subscribers can select their preferred HMO, receive a Primary Care Provider, consult via live chat, and connect to hospitals if needed, making healthcare affordable and timely for Nigerians without coverage.

Temitope explained the reasoning behind subscriptions: “Running Kaci Help is not cheap. Every time you sign up, reset a password, or trigger an emergency, notifications are sent via SMS, WhatsApp, and Email to you and your Guardians. Subscriptions keep the system alive.”

The Kaci Security Number (KSN) further strengthens safety: “Users verify their phone number, complete their profile, add two trusted Guardians, and receive a unique KSN. It ensures victims can be quickly recognized and assisted, even if unconscious or unable to speak.”

These enhancements build on Kaci’s trusted core features including Emergency, TravelSafe, Ambulance, iReport, Suggestion, Feedback, InfoBank, Climate, Alerts, and the KSN. Available in 11 languages, including English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fula, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese, the platform is among the most inclusive digital tools in Nigeria.

On security, Temitope assured users that “Kaci complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and GDPR. All user data is encrypted, and the platform respects privacy while enabling real-time interaction.”

He added that FCI ensures verified data flows through the system, while IDC Platforms provides the technical backbone for operations.

“Kaci Help v2.1 is not just about emergencies. It is about consultation, accountability, and creating a space where your voice matters. It is built for you, your safety, and your future,” Temitope concluded.

The app is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.