Airduka has emerged as Kenya’s startup of the year during Kenya E-commerce Summit and Awards sponsored by Finserve Africa.
The startup founded last year beat 200 other startups in 30 different categories to emerge top following its role in digitizing small businesses in the country.
The startup was recognized for connecting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to local buyers.
“Airduka helps small businesses reach more people online. The platform is welcome to goods and services sellers. The platform has all manners of sellers; from plumbers who can fix damaged pipes to dealers selling high-end electronics,” said A’Maalik Varvany.
Airduka was founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Hasnain Noorani to give businesses online visibility.
“Many business owners have unique and useful solutions, but no one knows. Some are in remote places that buyers would never reach if it were not for the online space,” said Varvany.
The platform has several features, including an e-catalogue that enables sellers to showcase all their products online.
“The e-catalogue connects sellers and buyers on WhatsApp to enable both parties to trade directly. Each product on the catalogue also goes through search engine optimization to give a seller’s product greater visibility,” the CEO added.
Sellers on the platform are required to register after which they are given a subscription package as opposed to paying commissions on sales made.
“After that, you only need to follow simple instructions to take your small business online,” he added.
According to Noorani, the launch of the company eleven months ago came at the right time when more than half of Kenyan consumers had warmed up to e-commerce.
