Chpter, an AI-powered social commerce platform, has successfully raised $1.2 million in a Pre-Seed funding round, marking a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionize e-commerce in Africa. This round was led by prominent Kenyan entrepreneur Ken Njoroge of PANI, who is also the Co-founder and Former CEO of Cellulant. The funding round also saw participation from Plesion Capital, Techstars, and several other investors, including angel investors Benjamin Fernandes, the founder of NALA, and the co-founders of Workpay.
Strategic Investment for Growth and Expansion
The funds raised will be strategically deployed to accelerate Chpter’s product development, expand its geographic footprint, and enhance its sales and marketing efforts. The startup aims to capitalize on the growing trend of conversational commerce, where businesses interact with customers via social media platforms to facilitate sales. Over the next few months, Chpter plans to expand its services to at least five new markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, and Morocco. The company, which launched in Kenya in 2022, was founded by a dynamic team consisting of Mesongo Sibuti (CTO), Kuria Kevin (CPO), Mark Kiarie (COO), and Tesh Mbaabu (CEO).
Leading the Social Commerce Revolution in Africa
“We are thrilled to pioneer the social commerce revolution, starting in Africa, as more and more consumers turn to social channels such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to communicate and purchase from the brands they love,” said Tesh Mbaabu, Co-Founder and CEO of Chpter. Mbaabu, a seasoned entrepreneur, emphasized the importance of WhatsApp in their strategy, highlighting its vast user base of over 2 billion active users as a key platform for driving e-commerce.
Inclusivity Through WhatsApp-Led E-Commerce
Chpter’s focus on a WhatsApp-led e-commerce experience is particularly noteworthy. This approach is designed to be more inclusive and accessible, especially to the underserved mass market. As co-founder Mark Kiarie pointed out, WhatsApp’s low data requirements and high usage rates—over 95% in many emerging markets—make it an ideal platform for engaging with customers who may have limited access to traditional e-commerce platforms. “A WhatsApp-led e-commerce experience makes it more inclusive and accessible to the underserved mass market, due to its low data and digital literacy requirements as well as the over 95% usage rate in many emerging markets,” Kiarie added.
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Leveraging AI and Social Media for Enhanced Customer Engagement
Chpter is positioning itself to leverage the power of social media platforms where customers already spend a significant amount of their time. By integrating AI into their platform, Chpter enables businesses to create chatbots and AI-powered sales and customer service agents, enhancing customer engagement and driving sales. The company has also achieved the status of an approved Meta Partner, giving it access to advanced features on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, further strengthening its position in the social commerce space.
A Vision for the Future of E-Commerce in Africa
As Chpter continues to grow, its vision for the future of e-commerce in Africa is becoming increasingly clear. By focusing on social commerce and leveraging the widespread use of platforms like WhatsApp, Chpter is not only making e-commerce more accessible but is also creating new opportunities for businesses to connect with their customers in a more personal and engaging way. With the recent funding, Chpter is well-positioned to expand its impact across Africa, helping to shape the future of online shopping in the region.