Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Kwenda is an early-stage travel technology startup company building an end-to-end digital infrastructure to digitise travel services in Malawi and rest of Southern Africa. Our solution is a B2B2C full-stack marketplace and our mission to simplify travel.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Kwenda is an early-stage travel technology startup company building an end-to-end digital infrastructure to digitize travel services in Malawi and rest of Southern Africa. Our solution is a B2B2C full-stack marketplace that digitizes operations of travel and transport companies by connecting them to an online booking platform where users can seamlessly book and pay for their Bus, Train, Tours, Accommodation, Events, Food and Car Rental online. Kwenda is run by a strong entrepreneurial minded team who are passionate about solving real everyday problems through technological solutions. The idea was born by our Founder and CEO, Lumbani Gondwe in 2018 in response to the challenges in Malawi's travel, transportation, and hospitality industries. Kwenda has one mission; simplifying travel. At Kwenda, we find satisfaction and purpose in solving real life challenges through technology whilst transforming travel into catalyst of growth and impact for people, Malawi and rest of Africa.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Travel and Tourism is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world with a total market value of USD 11.39 trillion as of 2023 and is projected to grow to around USD 18.44 trillion by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 5.5% between 2024 and 2032. For Malawi, the travel and hospitality industry contributes 9.5% to the total Malawi's GDP which is higher than the average contribution of the industry to GDP for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is around 7.1%. Travel and transport companies in Malawi and rest Southern Africa operate with outdated, manual processes, and lack centralised digital platform for seamless operations. 1. Travel Marketplace: Lack of online travel marketplace is a concern for travellers. 2. Digital Payments: Inability to seamlessly pay and receive payments for travel services is a concern for travellers and service providers. 3. B2B: The inability for travel providers to effectively trade amongst themselves is a huge concern.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

At Kwenda.Co we have one mission and deep-passion; to simplify travel through technology. our value proposition lies in simplifying the operations of travel, transport and hospitality companies by offering an end-to-end digital infrastructure solution. Benefits / Advantages 1. Global Exposure: Travel businesses will have a greater global reach via Kwenda.Co, thus registering the needed business growth. 2. Business Performance: Travel businesses will improve their business performance through Kwenda. Co, easily getting and more business than before via Kwenda.Co. 3. Cost Management: With Kwenda.Co, travel companies will seal revenue leakages with digitised Kwenda.Co solution e.g Multiple digital payment options, which are all live - Debit and Credit Cards and all Malawian Mobile Money Wallets. 4. Travellers will be able to search, book, plan, and pay for their travel services at their fingertip, anywhere and at any time e.g Accomodation, Train, Buses.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

With our end-to-end digital travel infrastructure offering at Kwenda.Co, we are targeting; 1. Travel, transport and hospitality companies such as Hotels, BnBs, Lodges, Airlines, Tour Operators, Restaurants, Buses, Car Rental providers, Activity Providers, Event Organisers and Train companies etc. 2. Travellers within and those travelling into Malawi - Tourism is projected to take over Agriculture as the largest forex earner industry in Malawi in 2 years time, hence the pivotal need to have the digital infrastructure in place for the anticipated growth of the industry.

01.05 When was your company established?

2021-08-09

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

4

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

1. Founder & CEO A vast experienced business leader with 14 years of high-level experience in Financial Services - Banking, Telecommunications, Mobile Money, Financial Technology (Fintech). He holds an Executive MBA (Global Trade and Strategy) from University of Bolton (UK) and he is a Chartered Digital Finance Fellow of The Fletcher School at Tufts University (USA). 2. Co-Founder & CTO An experience tech professional with 13 years of tech experience in solution development and holds a Master of Science in E-Commerce Technical from an Ireland University. 3. Head of Expansion and Investor Relations She is an experienced business analyst with vast experience in business relations, analysis and data. She holds a Masters in Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation from the University of Warwick - Warwick Business School.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://kwenda.co/about/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Kwenda is run by a strong entrepreneurial minded team who are passionate about solving real everyday problems through technological solutions, with a mission to simplify travel and turn it into a catalyst of growth for Malawi, and rest of Southern Africa, thus directly impacting the social and economic growth of the people and the countries. The startup does look into the developmental aspect of solving the travel and tourism sector challenges and drawbacks. It is particularly in line with Malawi Vision 20263 development agenda - pillar number 3 focusing on urbanisation and growth. Through technology, Kwenda.Co whilst transforming travel into catalyst of growth and impact, connecting people to goods, services and opportunities and businesses to global markets, we are also connecting the Malawi Tourism to the global economy whilst taking part in driving the Malawi and Africa's Digital Transformation Agenda.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

With Kwenda,Co, population of all ages, with be able to easily and seamlessly find, book and pay for travel services, thus simultaneously improving their well being and healthy living compared to manual processes of accessing these travel services such as walking to book a bus and train. With Kwenda.Co, through our solutions, whilst transforming travel into catalyst of growth and impact, connecting people to goods, services and opportunities and businesses to global markets, we are connecting the Malawi Tourism to the global economy whilst taking part in driving the Malawi Digital Transformation Agenda.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

At Kwenda.Co, we are taking part in driving both the Malawi and Africa's Digital Transformation Agenda. We are in the process of establishing a programs department with an aim of offering Digital Literacy trainings across Malawi, especially in rural areas and eventually in all our countries of operations as we grow and expand our operations, thus contributing to equitable education.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We are a gender-equality driven startup company. Our founding team entails all genders whilst the Exco team has 40% of women with a target of reaching 50v50 by the end of 2025.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

At Kwenda, we find satisfaction and purpose in solving real life challenges through technology whilst transforming travel into catalyst of growth and impact, connecting people to goods, services and opportunities and businesses to global markets and the Malawi Tourism to the global economy whilst taking part in driving the Malawi Digital Transformation Agenda.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Kwenda.Co as a startup, is a product of innovation, building an end-to-end digital infrastructure for Malawi and rest of Southern Africa, with a vision to expand to all corners of the continent. Innovation is one of our core values, signifying our unwavering commitment to solving challenges on the continent with technological innovations. We talk, breath and feast on innovation at Kwenda.Co.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

With Kwenda.Co, the travel and hospitality industry of Malawi will experience an accelerated growth and jump, with its huge potential, leading to economic growth and development. This will aid the reduction of inequality in relation to other countries in the region or continent with more improved travel and hospitality industries.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

With our offering, we are making cities and communities safe whilst contributing to sustainable development. People will be able to easily access travel services online, at anytime and be able to pay with multiple digital payment options.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Malawi is a pre-dominantly an importing country, which has led to forex shortages with our import cover averaging between two to three months, With Kwenda.Co, we are driving Malawi being a producing country through travel where tourist will be able to pay online for travel services in Malawi, thus generating the needed foreign exchange for the country for its sustainable growth.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

3

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Kwenda.Co's infrastructure is built on partnerships from across the globe, from our data storage, digital payment systems, customer management systems to support services. All these are provided by different partners across the globe, thus fostering global partnership.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Kwenda.Co is a first market mover in Malawi. Kwenda.Co was solely built out of a well-researched and validated process from the users. There is currently no any travel technology startup in Malawi offering even a single offering that Kwenda.Co is offering. We are the first and the only on the market.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

On the accommodation offering, as one of our offering, our potential competitor is booking.com and expedia. What makes us stand out; 1. We have a local presence in Malawi, which they do not thus offering limited support to their users. 2. Multiple Payment Options: We have integrated all payment methods on Kwenda.Co, giving users freedom to choose their preferred payment options. In Malawi and Africa as a whole, mobile money is the most preferred digital payment option which the potential competitors do not have. 3. Pricing: Our pricing is 50% lower compared to our competitors with no monthly subscription fees which is not the case with our competitors.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, kwenda.Co as an early stage startup, the team is comprised of both male and females. At kwenda.Co, we are a team of young entrepreneurs building technological solutions to everyday human challenges. 40% of the team being females with a target of reaching 50v50 by end of 2025, I am fostering and promoting the role of female entrepreneurs as a leader/founder.