tappi, the end-to-end digital commerce SaaS solution tailored for Africa’s micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), has today announced the signing of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
Details
Titled the “Sukuma Biz” initiative, the new partnership will enable tappi to deliver a unique package of digital services specifically geared towards bolstering online credibility and identity for KNCCI’s 30,000+ business members. With an additional focus on women-led businesses, the programme marks the next phase of the startup’s mission to drive online success for Kenya’s 7.4mn MSMEs.
For a monthly fee of Ksh.500 ($3.70), 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.
Digging Deeper
Leveraging tappi’s SaaS and enterprise-grade solutions, all KNCCI members will be able to generate SEO-optimised websites in less than 2 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.
About tappi
Since its inception in 2022, tappi has been on a rapid growth journey capturing verified reviews on over $3M in consumer transactions and engaging with over 150K consumers. Through its powerful end-to-end digital commerce stack, tappi facilitates a seamless online business profile creation process through an intuitive chat experience.
Leveraging payments, messaging, and AI, the platform is rapidly emerging as the SEO backbone to boost revenue for MSMEs across the continent, helping businesses gain visibility, consolidate payments with verified reviews to build online trust, and pay for online Ads with mobile airtime.
With operations in Kenya and Nigeria, the platform recently announced its expansion into Côte d’Ivoire in March 2024 alongside its long-standing partner, MTN.
What They’re Saying
Kenfield Griffith, tappi CEO and co-founder, states, “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.”
“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.”
Dr. James Mwaura, Nairobi County Chairman, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), says, “Through our partnership with tappi, KNCCI Nairobi Chamber is poised to significantly impact SMEs across all sectors by providing them with access to powerful digital tools that will streamline their online presence and enhance their visibility. This initiative will not only bolster the visibility and credibility of our local businesses within the domestic market but also on an international scale.
As businesses establish strong online reputations and showcase their products and services through optimized websites and targeted advertising, they will attract the attention of potential international partners and investors. This increased visibility and credibility will open doors to new opportunities for collaboration, trade, and growth, ultimately driving Kenya’s economy forward and positioning our SMEs for success in the global marketplace.”
The Big Picture
According to USAID (US Agency for International Development), MSMEs generate nearly a third of Kenya’s total GDP but despite their significant economic impact, numerous businesses still face significant hurdles establishing a trusted online presence.
This is primarily due to current tools being too complex, the requirements for an international credit card or the listing of websites in places where trust is difficult to gauge, establishing significant hurdles to access and convert new customers.
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