BitPesa, the Kenyan start-up which announced its 24/7 platform in September, is now expanding to Uganda and into the continent's major economy, Nigeria.

Now it us in four African countries — including Kenya and Tanzania — that the money-transferring company provides its services for. It also operates in the UK under the country's Financial Conduct Authority license, since its original target audience was Kenyan diaspora in Britain.

Entering Nigerian market BitPesa is likely to move forward with its service and business oriented work, though initially it saw itself more as a client-oriented start-up.

“Nearly all (at least two-thirds) of our customers are using BitPesa for business needs such as salaries, suppliers or operations. There are very few people transacting for basic livelihood needs, such as food or rent,” the BitPesa CEO and co-founder Elizabeth Rossiello told Wall Street Journal.

In the beginning of the year BitPesa raised $1.1 million in funding, and now the total amount of money it attracted accounts to $2.7 million.


Maria Rudina