Online Marketplace, Airduka Emerges as the Winner of Kenya’s e-Commerce Startup of the Year
In this year’s annual Kenya E-Commerce Summit and Awards, sponsored by Finserve Africa, Airduka, a Kenyan online marketplace, knocked out other contenders to earn the overall title of E-Commerce Startup of the Year.
The company was nominated alongside almost 200 other businesses in 30 different categories.
According to research, more than half of Kenyan consumers shop online, hence Airduka has been recognized for its role in digitizing small companies in the country.
The prize, according to the firm’s CEO A’Maalik Varvany, recognizes the firm’s continued efforts to help more small company owners into the internet realm.
“Airduka enables small enterprises to reach a larger audience online.” Sellers of goods and services are welcome to use the platform. “There are many kinds of merchants on the platform, from plumbers who can mend broken pipes to dealers who offer high-end goods,” Varvany said.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) were also recognized for interacting with local buyers through the startup.
“Many business owners have innovative and practical solutions, but no one knows about them.” Some are in isolated locations where consumers would never find them if it weren’t for the internet,” Varvany explained.
Hasnain Noorani, a serial entrepreneur, launched Airduka in 2021 to give enterprises online prominence. There are various features on the site, including an e-catalogue that allows retailers to display all of their products online.
“The e-catalogue uses WhatsApp to connect suppliers and buyers, allowing them to deal immediately.” “Each product in the catalog is also optimized for search engines to increase the exposure of a seller’s offering,” the CEO stated.
Airduka does not charge a commission on anything sold on the platform, unlike other online marketplaces.
To sell on the platform, traders just need to create an account on the Airduka website, register their business, and choose a monthly package that starts at KSh 200.
“After that, you only need to follow simple instructions to take your small business online,” he said.
