Malawi - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

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 Décrivez votre startup en détail

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 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

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 Travel and transport companies in Malawi and rest Southern Africa operate with outdated, manual processes, and lack centralised digital platform for seamless operations. 1.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 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 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 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

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 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

09/08/2021

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

4

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

1

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, 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 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://kwenda.co/about/

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Technologies de l'information (services numériques, équipements et logiciels)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

5

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

4

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

5

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

5

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

5

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

4

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

4

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

5

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

6

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

5

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

5

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

4

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

4

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

3

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

3

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

5

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma 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 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

1 = Pas du tout d'accord

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

1 - Pas du tout d'accord

06.08 Justification

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 Analyse compétitive

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 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes 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.