Digital commerce startup Tappi has set its sights on expanding its operations into the Ivory Coast market, marking a significant move for the Kenyan-founded company. The venture comes as part of Tappi ’s strategic partnership with telecommunications giant MTN, aiming to empower Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the West African nation to strengthen their online presence and reach.
Tappi, founded in 2022 by Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, has been making waves in Kenya and Nigeria with its innovative approach to helping small businesses enhance their online visibility. Offering affordable solutions starting from just $8 a month, Tappi enables over 150,000 customers to optimize their online advertising on platforms like Facebook and Google, along with providing them with easy-to-create websites in under two minutes.
The startup’s rapid growth and success in Kenya and Nigeria have seen it generate over $3 million in transactions, setting a solid foundation for its expansion into new markets. Griffith highlighted the promising potential of the Ivory Coast, citing its robust GDP growth rate of 6.94% and a burgeoning consumer base of 150 million across Francophone Africa.
“In our mission to digitize and empower MSMEs, Côte d’Ivoire presents an ideal market ripe for growth. By partnering with MTN, we aim to leverage their extensive reach and infrastructure to provide tailored digital solutions to businesses seeking to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape,” Griffith remarked.
MTN, with a user base exceeding 15 million in Ivory Coast, brings significant leverage to the partnership, enabling Tappi to integrate its enterprise-grade tools seamlessly into the telco’s existing data bundles. This collaboration underscores both parties’ commitment to driving digital transformation across Africa, particularly among small businesses eager to embrace technology to expand their operations.
The startup’s recent success in securing $1.5 million in pre-seed funding further attests to investor confidence in its growth trajectory. Mercy Corps Ventures and Chui Ventures led the funding round, with contributions from angel investors affiliated with Google and Salesforce. The funding injection is set to fuel Tappi’s expansion efforts and further develop its suite of digital marketing tools tailored for African MSMEs.
As emphasized in a 2023 World Bank report, the majority of African jobs are within the MSME sector, highlighting the critical role these businesses play in driving economic growth. With the continent’s digital footprint on the rise, startups like Tappi are well-positioned to address the evolving needs of small businesses, offering them the necessary resources and skills to thrive in the digital age.
With Tappi’s entry into the Ivory Coast market backed by a strategic partnership with MTN, the stage is set for a transformative journey towards empowering MSMEs and driving inclusive economic growth across the region.