Revolutionizing E-Commerce in Kenya with Flowcart on WhatsApp

The e-commerce landscape in Kenya is evolving with a game-changing approach that leverages WhatsApp as a primary sales platform. Flowcart, a cutting-edge digital solution crafted by an innovative Kenyan startup, empowers businesses to streamline their sales operations seamlessly through WhatsApp.

Originally established as Sukhiba in 2021 by Ananth Raj Gudipati and Abhinav Reddy, the startup secured a significant funding of $1.55 million in 2024 to fuel its expansion across the African continent. Flowcart’s expansion is underpinned by advanced automation technology and insightful messaging data analysis, enabling tailored services at a large scale.

Facilitating a unified interface from product showcases to secure payments, order management, and post-sales interactions, Flowcart aims to revolutionize commerce execution on WhatsApp. Ananth Gudipati, co-founder of Flowcart, highlighted the company’s focus on enabling smart commerce solutions beyond simple messaging, emphasizing the importance of automation, seamless customer experiences, and conversion-centric tools.

This innovative approach caters to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as informal traders by eliminating barriers to online sales. It serves as a vital bridge connecting traditional commerce practices with contemporary digital platforms across Africa, embodying the growing trend of conversational e-commerce on the continent. Rooted in local preferences and behaviors, this adaptable model has the potential to redefine digital trade in emerging markets.

By embracing WhatsApp as a core platform, the startup exemplifies a forward-looking strategy aligned with the conversational commerce trend in Africa, setting a new standard for digital trade in the region.