What Trac FM does

Trac FM is a Uganda-headquartered non-governmental organization that operates an interactive radio and SMS-based citizen engagement platform, structured through a Dutch foundation entity (Stichting TRAC FM International). Its core function is enabling radio stations, NGOs, and government institutions to run real-time public polls on social and governance issues, with citizens participating via SMS, interactive voice response (IVR), WhatsApp, and social media. The platform collects and aggregates responses into visualized outputs that broadcasters and institutional partners use for civic accountability programming.

The core technology stack combines multi-channel input (SMS shortcodes, IVR, WhatsApp, social media) with a data aggregation and analytics dashboard. Trac FM has reported conducting 2,579+ polls engaging millions of respondents cumulatively across its operating history. It is currently developing FoxPop, an AI-driven extension intended to convert unstructured listener calls into structured data and analytical outputs, representing a shift from manual aggregation toward AI-mediated call analytics.

The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: revenue derives from institutional development donors including the Dutch Embassy and UK AID, with deployment-based service to NGOs, government institutions, and radio station partners across Uganda and Kenya. Organizational size sits at 11-50 employees, and the entity has operated continuously for 15+ years, signaling established but limited-scaling institutional presence.

Name

Trac FM

Legal name

Stichting TRAC FM International

Website

https://tracfm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trac FM is a Uganda-based non-profit operating an interactive radio, SMS, and IVR polling platform that enables NGOs, government institutions, and broadcasters to run real-time citizen engagement polls across Uganda and Kenya, with 2,579+ polls conducted over 15+ years.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Engagement Technology

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Radio Network Distribution & Programming Services (Syndicators, Format Providers) (MPAIAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Messaging-Led Community Platforms (Chat/Group Communities) (MPACAJAE)

Keywords

• Interactive radio polling
• Citizen engagement platform
• SMS-based polling
• Radio audience analytics
• Public opinion data collection

Headquarters

HQ city

Kampala

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NGO/Donor Funded Operations: As an NGO focused on citizen engagement and public debate, TRAC FM operates primarily through partnerships with international donors, NGOs, government institutions, and development organizations. The platform offers free participation for citizens.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Trac FM is not a radio station but a technology platform that transforms existing radio stations into interactive engagement tools by layering toll-free SMS polling onto radio talk shows. Citizens respond to poll questions via free SMS, and the platform aggregates responses into real-time data visualizations with anonymized demographics (district, gender) for NGOs, government institutions, and partner stations. The organization is developing FoxPop, an AI platform that converts listener phone calls into structured data for partner decision-making.

Product overview

TRAC FM is an NGO that operates a platform combining interactive radio programming with SMS technology to enable citizen engagement at scale. The core product is the TRAC FM Platform, which facilitates real-time polls via SMS shortcodes and generates data visualizations for decision-makers. The company is developing FoxPop, an AI-powered platform designed to analyze listener calls and convert voice interactions into actionable data insights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FoxPop: AI platform that turns listener calls into data, helping partners connect, learn, and act on real community voices.

Products and services

• TRAC FM Platform Interactive radio + SMS platform that enables partner radio stations, NGOs, and government institutions to run real-time SMS polls during radio talk shows, generating anonymized demographic data visualizations for evidence-based advocacy and decision-making. Citizens participate free of charge via toll-free SMS shortcodes.
• FoxPop AI platform in development that converts listener phone calls into structured, actionable data, helping partners connect with, learn from, and act on real community voices. Extends TRAC FM's citizen engagement capabilities beyond SMS into voice-call analytics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15 years of operation with millions of respondents participating in polls
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Various Partner Radio StationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTRAC FM partners with multiple radio stations across Uganda to transform them into interactive platforms. These stations broadcast TRAC FM programs and enable citizen participation through SMS polling.
• NGOs and Civil Society OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with NGOs to commission polls on specific social issues including health, gender-based violence, democracy, and environmental topics. Organizations like HEPS Uganda, PSI, and others have conducted campaigns.
• Government InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with government bodies including district local governments and electoral commissions for citizen engagement and public opinion polling.
• Media CompaniesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with various media companies for content collaboration and audience reach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GeoPoll: Mobile-based survey and market research platform operating across Africa and emerging markets. Comparable because it gathers representative data from low-connectivity populations, though GeoPoll primarily uses mobile surveys versus TRAC FM's radio+SMS model.
• Viamo: Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform that delivers surveys, information, and engagement to mobile users in emerging markets. Directly comparable for citizen engagement via mobile/voice channels in low-bandwidth regions, with strong overlap in target markets across Africa.
• Ushahidi: Kenya-based civic technology platform that enables crowdsourced data collection and mapping for citizen engagement. Directly comparable as a non-profit technology platform operating in East Africa to gather citizen voices, though Ushahidi focuses on crisis mapping versus TRAC FM's radio polling model.
• Premise Data: Crowdsourced data collection platform that uses mobile contributors to gather real-time market and public opinion data globally. Comparable as a data-as-a-service platform serving development organizations and governments, though Premise uses app-based crowdsourcing versus TRAC FM's radio model.

Regional players

• Poll Everywhere: Commercial audience polling and engagement platform primarily serving North American and European corporate/education markets. Comparable for the SMS and live polling mechanism but operates in higher-connectivity geographies with a for-profit commercial model.

Emerging players

• Praekelt: South African non-profit building mobile technology for social impact, including health information and citizen engagement via USSD/SMS. Comparable as a non-profit civic tech organization using mobile technology to reach low-income African populations at scale.
• Ona (formerly Mobile Accord): Open-source mobile data collection platform used by NGOs and governments for field surveys and citizen feedback. Comparable for serving development sector data collection needs in emerging markets, though Ona focuses on digital/mobile rather than radio-integrated engagement.

Others

• Africa's Talking: Pan-African CPaaS provider enabling SMS, USSD, voice, and payment integrations across African markets. Functions as enabling infrastructure that TRAC FM's SMS-based platform could leverage, with overlapping customers in NGO and development sectors across East Africa.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tracfm
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TRACFM
• Facebookfacebook.com/TRACFM
• LinkedInug.linkedin.com/company/trac-fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trac FM