South Africa’s safety-tech sector shifts as Community Wolf acquires Namola

Community Wolf, a South African safety-tech startup using AI to modernise community protection, has acquired Namola, one of the country’s emergency-response apps, for an undisclosed amount.

The deal combines Community Wolf’s instant updates collected directly from people on the ground and Namola’s national emergency-response infrastructure to build an integrated safety network.

The move aims to address one of South Africa’s most persistent public-safety problems: fragmented, inconsistent, and often inaccessible emergency services. Despite a slight dip in crime reported by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the country, one of Africa’s most developed economies, continues to battle some of the highest violent-crime rates in the world.

Under the acquisition, Namola will continue operating as a standalone product within the Community Wolf ecosystem. This structure will preserve Namola’s brand value while allowing Community Wolf to inject new technology, product focus, and operational momentum. 

The acquisition signals growing momentum in South Africa’s safety-tech sector, where startups are increasingly using AI, low-friction user interfaces, and private-sector partnerships to bridge long-standing gaps in public infrastructure. Despite high mobile penetration and an active private security sector, South Africa’s safety ecosystem remains deeply siloed. Crime often goes unreported, real-time visibility is limited, and emergency response times vary widely across regions.

South Africa’s broader security market is projected to reach around $1.93 billion by 2030, from about $1.17 billion in 2024, with about  8%–9% annual growth rate as demand for technology-led protection rises.

Community Wolf, founded in 2024, allows residents to report criminal activity or safety concerns directly via WhatsApp. Its AI system processes these inputs into real-time incident reports, generating a dynamic map of safety patterns across neighbourhoods and cities. These insights are used by community policing forums, private security, and other stakeholders to coordinate faster, more targeted responses.

Namola, founded in 2014, offers nationwide access to medical, fire, and security responders. Powered by AURA’s emergency-response infrastructure, the platform has built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most trusted consumer-facing safety tools.

“Namola has established itself as one of South Africa’s most trusted safety tools, and we’re proud to continue powering its emergency response network,” said Warren Myers, CEO and co-founder of AURA. “The rise of AI means we can now detect and respond to crime faster than ever. Community Wolf’s AI tools combined with Namola’s footprint will make users significantly safer and reinforce AURA’s commitment to strengthening national emergency-response infrastructure.”

For Community Wolf, the acquisition is also a strategic move to revive Namola’s position in the consumer emergency-services market.

Community Wolf’s co-founder Nick Mills said the team sees a significant opportunity in restoring Namola’s position in the consumer emergency-services market. “We have deep respect for the Namola brand, its founders and previous leadership,” Mills said. “With renewed focus and energy, we believe Namola can regain its status as the household name in private emergency services in South Africa.”