Kenyan e-commerce startup tappi has partnered the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) to launch digital services for 30,000 MSMEs in the country.
Founded by Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, tappi is an end-to-end digital commerce SaaS solution tailored for MSMEs, which allows business owners to download its app, add their “look and feel”, and promote their business through a three-step process that goes to Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads using airtime credit or mobile money.
Since its inception in 2022, tappi has been on a rapid growth journey capturing verified reviews on over US$3 million consumer transactions and engaging with over 150,000 consumers. Disrupt Africa reported in December the startup had raised US$1.5 million through an oversubscribed pre-seed round of funding, and it recently made Ivory Coast its third market, having already moved into Nigeria.
The startup has now announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the KNCCI to launch the Sukuma Biz initiative, which will enable tappi to deliver a unique package of digital services specifically geared towards bolstering online credibility and identity for the KNCCI’s 30,000 business members.
For a monthly fee of KES500 (US4), KNCCI members will receive their own business landing page on tappi’s platform featuring a KNCCI logo as well as access to 50 customer reviews via SMS, WhatsApp or additional channels, which will be integrated to their landing page. Members will also be able to send 250 text marketing messages directly to their customers.
Leveraging tappi’s SaaS and enterprise-grade solutions, all KNCCI members will be able to generate SEO-optimised websites in less than two minutes based on eight simple questions devised by an intuitive chat tool. Using a combination of AI, machine learning and algorithms, each business’ website copy and aesthetic will be automatically tailored to its target audience and core sector. KNCCI members will also be equipped with the capacity to seamlessly distribute Google, Facebook and Instagram ads from tappi’s platform as well as receive access to a number of additional digital services.
“KNCCI is one of Kenya’s most trusted industry bodies and with its extensive network of local businesses, they’re an ideal partner to accelerate our mission of empowering MSMEs to effectively establish strong reputations of their own in an online setting,” said Griffith.
“In order for this initiative to be successful, it was vital we worked alongside a partner with not only a strong, in-depth understanding of the most critical pain points Kenyan businesses face, but also the demographics which are most heavily affected by them. With this in mind, we’re incredibly proud to be joined by KNCCI on what we believe is not only a crucial step for MSMEs, but specifically women-led businesses, in equipping them with the digital tools to significantly drive Kenya’s economy forward.”
