Ayodeji Ayenuwa
Kenya-based social commerce startup, Sukhiba Connect, recently secured $1.5 million in funding to expand its operations beyond the country, tapping into the growing social commerce market in Africa.
The investment, led by CRE Venture Capital, included participation from Antler, EQ2 Ventures, Goodwater Capital, Chandaria Capital, and several angel investors.
Sukhiba Connect, founded in 2021 by Ananth Gudipati and Abhinav Solipuram, has been at the forefront of simplifying social commerce on popular messaging apps like WhatsApp. It provides a B2B conversational commerce tool that enables businesses to engage with their customers through WhatsApp.
The startup aims to create a seamless transaction experience, enabling users to complete the entire process from conversation, purchase, payment, to delivery without leaving WhatsApp.
Ananth Gudipati, CEO of Sukhiba Connect, emphasized this, saying, “We have brought to WhatsApp the ability to complete the entire transaction from conversation, purchase, payment, to delivery.”
This innovative platform has already had a significant impact, enabling WhatsApp commerce for over 30 companies.
These companies, including major manufacturers and distributors, now serve around 15,000 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), including retailers. Gudipati stated that manufacturers use Sukhiba Connect to expand their customer base and gain new customers.
WhatsApp’s Influence in Africa
WhatsApp has a strong presence in Africa, with countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria boasting a significant user base. This widespread usage has created opportunities for various communities, including buyers and sellers, to connect easily.
However, certain functionalities are missing, and localization is needed. Social commerce startups like Sukhiba Connect are bridging these gaps and exploring the immense potential of social commerce in Africa.
With the additional funding, Sukhiba Connect plans to expand its reach and enhance the social commerce experience on WhatsApp. Gudipati shared the startup’s vision, stating, “Communities are forming on WhatsApp, and we are entering the market, suggesting that there may be no need for a separate app – you can conduct all your sales on WhatsApp.”
The success of Sukhiba Connect and its recent funding raise underscores the growing importance of social commerce in Africa as businesses adopt digital platforms to connect with their customers.
For More Information About the Startup
Techrectory with Agency Report.
