Airduka Named Kenya’s E-Commerce Startup of The Year

Kenyan Online Marketplace, Airduka, emerged the overall winner of E-Commerce Startup of the year in the Kenya E-Commerce Summit and Awards 2022.

The startup was recognized for its role in digitising small businesses in the country, after studies showed that more than half of Kenyan consumers have been shopping online.

The company was nominated alongside more than 200 companies in 30 different categories.

Airduka was awarded 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 manner of sellers; from plumbers who can fix damaged pipes to dealers selling high-end electronics,” said Airduka CEO A’Maalik Varvany.

The company was founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Hasnain Noorani to give businesses online visibility.

The platform features an e-catalogue that enables sellers to showcase their products online. Each product on the catalogue goes through search engine optimization to give a seller’s product greater visibility.

Moreover, buyers and sellers are connected on WhatsApp to enable both parties to trade directly. Airduka charges no commission on products sold on the platform.

Pride Group Founder and Managing Director commented on the win saying the award was a testament that the firm was filling an urgent gap in the market. He added that the launch of the company came at the right time when more than half of Kenyan consumers had warmed up to e-commerce.