When Ajibola Agbaje arrived in the United Kingdom in 2021 to pursue his Master’s degree in Data Science at Teesside University, he brought with him a strong academic foundation and years of professional experience. With a degree in Industrial Mathematics from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ajibola was full of hope and ambition for the next chapter of his life. But like many migrants stepping into unfamiliar terrain, he soon encountered challenges that went beyond academics — including social isolation, difficulty settling in, lack of access to localised information, and a growing sense of loneliness.
While popular social media platforms connected people globally, there was no effective way to discover local communities, relevant services, or culturally aligned peers in one’s immediate surroundings. These personal struggles became the seed for Japaflex — a location-based social platform built to help migrants and local residents alike discover meaningful community, connect with services, and feel a true sense of belonging in their new environment.
The problem
Migration, whether international or within a country, often comes with overwhelming challenges. People migrate for different reasons; work-related, education, or just social. In the UK and Canada, especially, newcomers face not only cultural and social adjustments but also a lack of localised information, limited community ties, and increasing mental health risks due to isolation. Traditional social media platforms rarely cater to the local, cultural, or integration needs of migrants. Information is scattered. Connections are global but not often useful in a hyperlocal context.
The solution: Japaflex
Japaflex is designed to bridge that gap — combining the connectivity of social media with the practicality of a local guide. Using geolocation and geofencing technology within a 20-mile radius, the app helps users discover:
* People nearby, including those who share similar backgrounds or ethnicities
* Local businesses and cultural spots
* Jobs and services
* Housing and rental opportunities
* A marketplace to buy and sell
* And most importantly, a sense of belonging
Since launching publicly on 10th May 2025, Japaflex has gained 1,000 organic downloads in just its first month — and that’s without external funding or investments; wholly bootstrapped by Ajibola and his team. The app is currently live in the UK, Canada, and Nigeria, three countries with strong migration communities and demand for localised connection tools.
“This early traction tells me something powerful: we’re building what people actually need,” says Ajibola. “We’ve had users tell their friends, spread the word, and come back to the app — not because of ads, but because it offers real value.”
With a growing user base and an evolving feature set (including promoted posts, subscriptions, in-app messaging, and business directories), Japaflex is not just a product — it’s a movement toward a more inclusive, better-connected society. Bootstrapped from day one, Japaflex is now looking ahead to partnerships, expansion, and deeper integration with community stakeholders, health services, and local councils.
“We’re solving a real-world problem that affects people’s mental health, economic participation, and sense of identity. That’s why we built Japaflex — to make sure no one feels alone when they arrive in a new place,” he concludes.
Japaflex is available for download on Android and iOS.
Follow the journey. Join the community, because everyone deserves to feel at home — no matter where they are.
