Revolutionizing E-commerce in Kenya with WhatsApp: The Flowcart Solution

The e-commerce landscape in Kenya is undergoing a transformation with the innovative use of WhatsApp as a primary sales tool. Flowcart, a digital solution developed by a Kenyan startup, Sukhiba, allows businesses to streamline their sales processes through the messaging app.

Established in 2021 by Ananth Raj Gudipati and Abhinav Reddy, Sukhiba, now known as Flowcart, secured a significant investment of $1.55 million in 2024 to expand its operations across Africa.

Flowcart’s success is driven by its advanced automation technology and data analysis capabilities, enabling businesses to offer personalized services seamlessly. From managing product catalogs to processing payments and handling customer inquiries, Flowcart provides an all-encompassing platform within the familiar interface of WhatsApp.

Co-founder Ananth Gudipati emphasizes the platform’s evolution towards enhancing commerce on WhatsApp through intelligent automation and improved customer experiences. This forward-looking approach aims to revolutionize the way commerce is conducted through messaging apps, setting new standards for online interactions.

By catering to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and informal traders, Flowcart eliminates barriers to online sales and bridges the gap between conventional platforms and local sales practices in Africa. With a strong emphasis on leveraging WhatsApp, the platform reflects the growing trend of conversational e-commerce in the region, potentially reshaping digital business in emerging markets.