Top 5 Startups to Watch in Kenya in 2025

by Kevin Mwangi January 21, 2025, 12:43 am 192 Views

Kenya is a leading hub for startups in Eastern Africa, excelling in fintech, agritech, and climate tech. Here are five standout startups driving change in 2025:

M-KOPA: Expanding financial inclusion with pay-as-you-go solar systems, smartphones, and household upgrades.
KopoKopo: Simplifying digital payments for small businesses via mobile money integration.
Craydel: Improving education access with tailored e-learning and school partnerships.
Hisa: Making investments accessible with low barriers for local and global assets.
Sukhiba: Transforming agriculture with WhatsApp-based e-commerce for farmers.

These startups showcase Kenya’s growing role in tech-driven solutions for everyday challenges.

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1. M-KOPA: Expanding Access to Financing and Energy

M-KOPA is making waves in digital financing by helping people access essential assets. As the first Kenyan financial services startup to hit five million customers across five African countries, it has made a major impact across the continent.

The company’s pay-as-you-go model allows low-income households to afford solar power systems through small, manageable payments. This approach has connected over 750,000 homes in East Africa to solar energy^[1]. Even more impressive, M-KOPA boasts a 10% default rate, which is better than the average for regional banks^[3].

Looking ahead to 2025, M-KOPA plans to broaden its offerings. These include locally assembled smartphones, electric motorcycles, SOLAPESA cash loans, and household upgrades like water tanks and refrigerators. With operations in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa^[2], the company leverages technology and partnerships to grow its reach.

M-KOPA’s achievements highlight Kenya’s ability to nurture startups that tackle regional challenges at scale. As it continues to expand, M-KOPA is setting an example for other businesses aiming to reshape Kenya’s economic landscape.

2. KopoKopo: Changing How Small Businesses Handle Digital Payments

KopoKopo solves a big problem for small businesses: finding efficient ways to handle digital payments. Their platform allows merchants to accept electronic payments, cutting down on cash usage and improving how they manage their finances.

The platform’s standout feature is its direct integration with mobile money services. Merchants can access mobile money payments, track transactions with real-time analytics, and process payments securely – all through one system.

What sets KopoKopo apart is its flexibility. The platform isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether it’s a shop in Nairobi or a restaurant in Mombasa, businesses can customize the features to suit their specific needs.

By 2025, KopoKopo aims to expand its reach across Africa by teaming up with fintech companies and regulators. Its easy-to-use tools and secure payment options are helping businesses in Kenya embrace digital payments and thrive in the modern economy.

While KopoKopo focuses on streamlining payments for small businesses, other startups are addressing challenges in education and other sectors.

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3. Craydel: Expanding Education Access Across Africa

Craydel is tackling Kenya’s challenge of providing accessible, quality education by leveraging digital tools. The platform integrates e-learning materials, online tutoring, and specialized educational software into one streamlined digital system, breaking down barriers such as remote locations and limited resources.

Their recent entry into Zimbabwe marks their fourth market in Africa, reinforcing their growing influence in the region’s education sector. By collaborating with local institutions and government bodies, Craydel ensures their solutions fit seamlessly into existing systems and meet the specific needs of each area.

What makes Craydel stand out? Their platform is designed with users in mind, offering:

Tailored learning paths to suit individual needs
Alignment with local curriculums for relevance
Resources accessible even in low-infrastructure areas

Craydel also works directly with schools to modernize how education is delivered. Their approach is designed to grow and adapt to different regions, setting them up for continued success in 2025. The startup’s achievements highlight Kenya’s growing reputation as a leader in edtech, creating solutions that resonate across Africa.

While Craydel is reshaping education, other Kenyan startups are making waves in financial markets and investment opportunities, further strengthening the country’s status as an innovation powerhouse.

4. Hisa: Simplifying Investment in African Markets

Kenya has become a hub for fintech innovation, and Hisa is reshaping how everyday citizens approach investing. This platform allows Kenyans to invest in both local and global assets, such as stocks and bonds, with just a small amount of capital. Since being acquired by Risevest, Hisa has experienced rapid growth, reflecting increased trust in digital investment platforms.

Hisa makes investing accessible to more people by lowering entry barriers and offering user-friendly tools. It provides a range of options, including stocks, bonds, and ETFs, along with built-in educational resources. These features cater to both beginners and seasoned investors, helping them make smarter financial decisions.

"Hisa’s growth shows the rising demand for accessible investment platforms in Kenya", says Eric Asuma, co-founder of Hisa.

The platform’s commitment to following Kenya’s financial regulations while building user trust has played a key role in its success. As 2025 unfolds, Hisa continues to refine its offerings, solidifying its place in Kenya’s growing digital economy.

While Hisa is opening up investment opportunities, Sukhiba is leading advancements in agritech, supporting Kenya’s farming community.

5. Sukhiba: Transforming Agritech for Kenyan Farmers

Sukhiba, launched in 2021 by Ananth Raj Gudipati and Abhinav Reddy, is reshaping Kenya’s agricultural industry through its e-commerce platform. Using WhatsApp as the backbone, the platform enables farmers to purchase products, make payments, and access customer support – all through a tool they already know and use daily. This approach has proven highly effective in Kenya, where WhatsApp is a common communication tool, cutting transaction costs and addressing inefficiencies in traditional supply chains.

Currently, over 35,000 SMEs rely on Sukhiba’s services. The platform’s focus on building trust through personal interactions before purchases has been a game-changer for agricultural communities hesitant about digital commerce. This trust-driven model has not only gained traction but also attracted $1.55 million in funding, led by EQ2 Ventures, highlighting investor belief in Sukhiba’s vision.

What sets Sukhiba apart is its practical, user-friendly approach. By working within existing technology ecosystems, it simplifies agricultural transactions and makes them more efficient. This has cemented Sukhiba’s role as a major player in Kenya’s growing digital agriculture space.

Looking ahead, Sukhiba aims to expand across Africa, forming partnerships to tackle food security issues and broaden its influence in the agritech sector. Its progress shows how Kenyan startups are using technology to drive impactful change, making the country’s startup scene one to watch.

Conclusion

Kenya’s startup scene is poised for growth in 2025, with five standout companies driving change in critical sectors. These businesses are playing a key role in the country’s digital transformation and economic progress, setting a high bar for entrepreneurship in East Africa.

From digital payments to agritech, these startups highlight Kenya’s diversity in tech solutions. Their ability to scale while maintaining effective business models reflects a maturing ecosystem that’s catching the eye of international investors.

These companies also point to larger trends shaping Kenya’s future: the rise of digital tools in finance, education, and agriculture, broader financial inclusion, and tech-based solutions to long-standing societal issues.

As Kenya cements its role as a leader in Africa’s startup space, these ventures showcase the creativity and impact driving that reputation. Entrepreneurs and investors alike can draw lessons from their use of technology, deep understanding of local needs, and commitment to building trust with communities.

The success of these startups underscores Kenya’s growing status as a hub for innovation, offering opportunities for collaboration and economic growth across the region. Their contributions go beyond individual achievements, laying the groundwork for long-term development and tech-driven progress.