Kenyan e-commerce startup Sky.Garden is making a grand comeback, unveiling its revamped platform following its acquisition by tech credit platform Lipa Later in December 2022. Lipa Later has injected a Ksh.250 million investment into Sky.Garden, igniting ambitious plans to connect with 100,000 merchants within the next year.
The rejuvenated Sky.Garden platform is now equipped with a comprehensive set of features, including payment solutions, logistic support, marketing tools, and business insights. Merchants on the platform will gain access to a suite of services, ranging from financing and real-time transaction monitoring to direct bill payments, seamless deposits and withdrawals to M-Pesa or bank accounts, and even the ability to open a bank account.
Lipa Later’s renowned Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) service, operating in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, is now seamlessly integrated into the Sky.Garden experience. This integration enables Sky.Garden customers to utilize Lipa Later’s flexible and affordable payment plan, allowing them to make purchases on the Amazon-style marketplace through monthly instalments.
In an exciting expansion move, Sky.Garden is venturing into social commerce, enabling shoppers to explore, share, and make direct purchases within their social networks. This development not only enhances the consumer shopping experience but also offers merchants the opportunity to make sales consistently from any location.
Sky.Garden’s revival comes after facing closure in October due to insolvency. The startup, which had previously raised over $6 million, found a lifeline through its acquisition by Lipa Later. The infusion of Ksh.250 million breathes new life into Sky.Garden, propelling it into a phase of growth and innovation.
Lipa Later Group CEO Eric Muli expressed the group’s vision to be a commerce catalyst for businesses and communities across Africa. The emphasis on local ownership and operation aligns with the belief that understanding the needs of the people contributes to national prosperity and forges genuine connections within the community.
Lipa Later’s recent achievements, including securing approval to raise funds from the U.S. public and the closure of a Ksh500 million debt issue, have positioned the tech credit platform as a dynamic player in the financial landscape. With Sky.Garden’s relaunch, the synergy between these entities promises to reshape the e-commerce landscape in Kenya and beyond. As the market witnesses the fusion of technology and commerce, the relaunched Sky.Garden stands poised to offer an enriched online shopping experience for both merchants and consumers.
