Kenya's Kadogo (Micro) Economy A Serious Ecommerce Force

Kenya's Kadogo (Micro) Economy A Serious Ecommerce Force

Author: Fostina Mani January 5, 2024 Duration: 7:20

Kenya’s informal economy constitutes of US$136 billion. Today we are seeing large companies including leading supermarkets beginning to sell open sacks which will allow Africa’s Informal markets to cut their cloth according to the size of their pockets.  Today, package unit size no longer work, Africa wants what they can afford.


Kenya’s Safaricom and Airtel have realized Africa’s micro mass market is the way to go.  And they have literally disrupted if not taken business away from many leading companies that provide pay television and high-speed internet services such as Zuku. Kenya’s Safaricom and Airtel hit the “Kadogo Economy” by selling their products and services at their lowest divisible level and allowing consumers to make small daily purchases.


Vitual tills either for shops, banks, or other services providers in the form of Mpesa Tills, Poshi La Biashara and Paybills are very important services and products offering from Safaricom and Airtel in on boarding Africa’s micro and small entrepreneurs into mobile money.  Kenya is virtually using mobile money to pay for everything.  This has also seen the rise of several mobile applications that are taking part in the mobile money space. 


Did you know Kenya leads in the world Tiktok usage? According to Reuters Institute Digital News report 2023, Kenya has 54% of global TikTok usage, followed by Thailand and South Africa. Tiktok has created one massive platform that allows every African to showcase their talent and compete with many internationalbrands.  Many micro entrepreneurs are turning smart phones into virtual shops, wallets, as well as electronic transaction receipts especially when dealing with taxes, which drastically cuts down on operating expenses.


The entertainment industry in rural Africa is booming business.  Young African MC’s who would never compete with celebrities are making serious money, by simply showcasing their services online.  Today, we can truly say the world is flat, it is an even playing ground for all entrepreneurs across the globe regardless.


Hosted by Fostina Mani, African Urban Professionals & Rural Farming-(Agricultural Markets that Favour Africa) explores the complex reality of a growing demographic: Africans who build careers in metropolitan hubs while maintaining deep, active ties to rural farmland. This connection, driven by family duty or a profound belief in the continent's agricultural potential, raises pressing practical questions. Each episode digs into the tangible returns on these investments, not just in financial terms but in social impact and food sovereignty. The conversation consistently ties these personal and business choices to the broader vision of Agenda 2063, "The Africa We Want," examining how modern market structures must evolve to truly serve African producers and economies. In this podcast, you'll hear from urban professionals navigating this dual life, analysts dissecting value chains, and innovators redesigning trade. Fostina champions a necessary revolution in how agricultural markets operate, arguing for systems that prioritize fairness, sustainability, and continental prosperity. The dialogue moves beyond theory, focusing on actionable insights for listeners managing farms remotely, investing in agribusiness, or simply passionate about a future where Africa's agricultural wealth benefits its people first. It’s a crucial look at the intersection of urban finance, rural livelihood, and economic policy.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 20

African Urban Professionals & Rural Farming - (Agricultural Markets that Favour Africa)
Podcast Episodes
CORVID19 Pivot towards the Gig Economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:37
CORVID19 without doubt has changed the world especially Africa forever. As if it was not bad enough that Africa has been dealing with high numbers of youth unemployment. The CORVID19 pandemic saw several mature professio…
How My Clean Africa Project evolved to A Nairobi Gal Gone Urban Farmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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When I first heard Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame speak about the Africa’s filthy streets as a poverty mindset. I was really intrigued, because I simply could not relate the two. But as I listened and read more about it,…
Reseller Repositioning & Distribution Program - Questions & Answers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:42
We are looking to build legacy African businesses of men and women of integrity whom we can develop, support and entrust with repeat business through our trade facilitation services. Africa's agricultural market is now o…
Don't Get It Twisted Supplying to WFP Can Bankrupt You in A Heartbeat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:04
The consequences of the performance bond, placed on WFP suppliers, is something no one ever wants to speak about. That along with the bureaucratic payment process, which some have told me may require a flight to the regi…
African Urban Professional & Rural Farming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:24
You can take an African out of the village but you cannot take the village out of an African. Most African Urban Professional and Entrepreneurs are faming in the village. We call it telephone or mobile farming. Is it a v…