Kwenda is using FinTech to digitize Travel and Events Ticketing | #40Days40FinTechs Day 12

For those accustomed to tour and travel, you know the lengthy processes involved in doing bookings; getting the right transport, accommodation, and meals, among others is always troublesome. The same happens with events where revelers have to buy physical tickets, and queue in long lines for tickets verification before they are granted access.

It is such issues that Kwenda; a traveltech and e-ticketing platform came to address in Southern Africa, starting with Malawi.

Officially launched in 2024, Kwenda is on a mission to empower travelers & revelers, drive travel & tourism growth and support innovations.

According to Lumbani Gondwe, the Founder and CEO of Kwenda, this digital platform is currently using technology to simplify travel and ticketing in Malawi.

“We are digitizing travel by making it possible for people to seamless book for buses online, pay digitally and enjoy their travel. We also have an e-ticketing platform – the first of its kind in Malawi. Since its launch, our e-ticketing platform has handled most of the big events that have happened in Malawi,” Gondwe said.

He added: “To enable our customers have a great experience, we have integrated with several payment solutions. On the platform, users are able to pay using mobile money or bank cards. In this short time, we have had some amazing numbers. In less than a year, we have supported more than 60 music, entertainment and sports events. We currently have over 15,000 active users that buy tickets and also do travel bookings using Kwenda.”

He nonetheless revealed that as a FinTech start-up, they are faced with several challenges including under-developed technology infrastructure, unstable internet connections and low industry growth.

Gondwe urged the #40Days40FinTechs initiative to support Malawi’s nascent Fintech industry with capacity building, industry connections, collaborations and fundraising.

Kwenda has been featured on Day 12 of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative; Zambia and Malawi edition. The roll-out of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative in Zambia and Malawi followed its success in East Africa. Over the past 5 years, the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative has featured over 200 FinTech stories from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda. This initiative has also engaged hundreds of end-users and shared their stories with millions worldwide.

The primary objective of this initiative is to support and showcase innovative FinTech giants and start-ups from across Africa, with a focus on promoting financial inclusion and economic growth, in addition to giving start-ups access to the resources they need to develop new and innovative financial solutions that can benefit underserved populations. Such resources include but are not limited to #LevelOneProject guidelines, Mojaloop Open Source Software and Inclusive Finance systems, etc.

#IncludeEveryone