Trailblazers honored at eCommerce Day East Africa Kenya 2024 awards

Held as part of the eCommerce Day World Tour 2024, this event honored trailblazing companies shaping East Africa’s digital ecosystem.

Award Winners

The winners across various categories were:

• Best SME: Purpink
• Best Mobile Initiative: Carrefour
• ESG in the Digital Economy: Google for Startups
• Fashion & Beauty: Shop Zetu
• Financial Services & Online Banking: Peach Payments
• Retail: Victoria Homestore
• Service & Solution for eCommerce: FedEx
• eCommerce Startup Competition: EBIKES Africa

The Startup Competition winner, EBIKES Africa, earned a special prize of one year of domain and hosting from Registry Africa, underscoring the event's mission to empower emerging businesses.

Driving Digital Transformation in East Africa

Held over three days in Nairobi, the event brought together public and private sector leaders to advance the digital commerce landscape in the region. The eCommerce Institute, which has hosted 182 editions globally, organized the event to foster innovation, professionalization, and inclusivity.

During the opening ceremony, Marcos Pueyrredón, President of the eCommerce Institute, emphasized the region’s pivotal role in the global digital revolution:
"East Africa’s potential to become a model of inclusion and development through technology is unmatched. This event reflects a collective commitment to inspire, connect, and transform digital commerce."

Key Discussions and Trends

The conference spotlighted high-impact themes, including:

• Artificial intelligence as a game-changer in customer experience and operational scaling.
• The surge of conversational commerce, projected to reach $43 billion by 2028.
• Cross-border e-commerce strategies aligned with Kenya’s National E-commerce Strategy and the AfCFTA protocol.
• Initiatives targeting young consumers and trends like healthy snacks and facial care.

The event also featured exclusive networking opportunities and startup showcases, creating a platform for collaborations and fresh business ventures.

Inclusion and Sustainability

Diversity and sustainability were key pillars of the event. Initiatives like the eWomen Networking Boost enabled free participation for 92 women, promoting gender inclusion within the digital ecosystem. Strategic partnerships with organizations such as USAID, eTrade Alliance, VTEX, and Microsoft further amplified these efforts.

Natalia Zuca, Director of International Strategies and Operations at the eCommerce Institute, encapsulated the event's spirit:
"Knowledge empowers people, and people empower businesses. We aim to inspire every participant to drive meaningful change in their business and community."

East Africa: A Growing Digital Powerhouse

With mobile penetration surpassing 60% and e-commerce growing at an annual rate of 17.9%, Kenya stands poised to reach an e-commerce volume of $3.5 billion by 2027. Principal Secretary of Trade Alfred K’Ombudo highlighted Kenya’s progress in digital infrastructure, payment systems, and regulatory frameworks as key enablers of this growth.