By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Twiva Limited, Kenya's pioneering AI-driven and influencer-led social commerce platform, garnered attention at the recently held Kenya Ecommerce Awards after winning two awards.
The company won the Top Rising Star, e-commerce award, but came in behind in the Best Social Commerce Platform category.
Twiwa’s Marketing and Public Relations Head, Grace Gikonyo, who received the award at a ceremony held at the Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi, expressed her delight at the company’s recognition.
“It is an honor to see that Twiva continues to earn the trust of Kenyans and we are also grateful for the tremendous support Twiva receives from our merchants (SMEs), influencers/resellers and stakeholders.
“Our drive continues to be guided by our desire to provide users with a great shopping experience on our platform,” she said.
Meanwhile, Twiva CEO Peter Kilonji said: “I admire the hard work entrepreneurs put in to scale their businesses and this award is a great way to recognise their efforts.”
“We are committed to transforming the social commerce landscape in Kenya and beyond.
“By harnessing the power of AI and social media influencers, we are creating new ways for brands to connect with consumers and drive real conversions with their sales efforts.”
Twiva's recognition comes amid significant growth in Kenya's social commerce sector. At the start of 2024, there were 22.71 million internet users in Kenya, with an internet penetration rate of 40.8%. As of January 2024, there were 13.05 million social media users in Kenya, representing 23.5% of the total population.
Recent statistics show that 49 percent of Kenyans make purchases through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, highlighting the important role of social commerce in the country's retail sector.
The market is expected to grow at 23.5% annually, and Twiva's innovative approach, leveraging AI and influencers, has positioned the company as a major player in this fast-growing industry.
By connecting brands with influencers who authentically promote their products, Twiva has created a seamless and engaging shopping experience. This success demonstrates the powerful synergy between technology and human influence to drive business growth and consumer engagement.
The Kenya E-Commerce Awards, which have been running for over five years, celebrate excellence in shopping, retail and customer success, spotlighting companies that excel in creating exceptional shopping experiences.
