The Kenyan e-commerce startup tappi, co-founded by Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, has forged a strategic partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to introduce digital services to 30,000 Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya.
The startup, established in 2022, offers a comprehensive digital commerce Software as a Service (SaaS) platform designed to cater to the needs of MSMEs. The platform enables business owners to effortlessly create a customized online presence through its app. By following a simple three-step process, users can add their unique branding and directly promote their businesses on major advertising platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads, with the convenience of using airtime credit or mobile money for payments.
The startup has experienced swift growth since its launch, documenting verified reviews for consumer transactions worth over US$3 million and engaging with more than 150,000 consumers. In December, Disrupt Africa reported that tappi had secured US$1.5 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round. Additionally, the startup has expanded its reach beyond Kenya, entering Nigeria and recently launching in Ivory Coast.
Tappi has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the KNCCI to roll out the Sukuma Biz initiative. This collaboration aims to provide KNCCI’s 30,000 business members with a tailored package of digital services to enhance their online presence and credibility.
For a nominal monthly fee of KES500 (approximately US$4), KNCCI members will gain a dedicated business landing page on tappi’s platform, complete with the KNCCI logo. They will also have the opportunity to collect up to 50 customer reviews through SMS, WhatsApp, or other integrated channels, which will be showcased on their landing page. Additionally, members can send out 250 text marketing messages to their customers.
Tappi’s SaaS and enterprise-grade solutions will empower KNCCI members to create SEO-optimized websites in under two minutes. This is made possible through an intuitive chat tool that asks eight simple questions, with AI, machine learning, and algorithms customizing the website content and design to match the business’s target audience and industry. Furthermore, KNCCI members will have the ability to effortlessly run ads on Google, Facebook, and Instagram directly from tappi’s platform, along with access to a suite of other digital services.
Griffith, speaking on the partnership, highlighted KNCCI’s reputation as one of Kenya’s most respected industry organizations. He emphasized that KNCCI’s vast network of local businesses makes it an ideal partner to further tappi’s goal of empowering MSMEs to build robust online reputations. He also pointed out the importance of collaborating with a partner that deeply understands the challenges faced by Kenyan businesses, particularly those affecting specific demographics like women-led enterprises.
The partnership with KNCCI is seen as a critical step not only for MSMEs but also for women-led businesses, providing them with the digital tools necessary to drive Kenya’s economic progress.
