Celebrating 13 Years of Financial Empowerment Across Africa

Nairobi, Kenya – Today marks a momentous milestone in the history of Mkopo Express as we celebrate 13 years of unwavering commitment to financial inclusion across Africa. From our humble beginnings in a small Nairobi office in 2012 to serving millions of customers across eight countries, our journey has been one of passion, innovation, and an unrelenting focus on empowering African communities through accessible financial services.

"Thirteen years ago, we set out with a simple but powerful vision: to democratize access to financial services across Africa. Today, as I reflect on our journey, I'm filled with immense pride for what we've accomplished together – not just as a company, but as a catalyst for economic empowerment across our beautiful continent." - Sarah Kimani, CEO and Founder, Mkopo Express

A Journey Rooted in Purpose

Our story began in 2012 when our founder, Sarah Kimani, witnessed firsthand the challenges that ordinary Africans faced in accessing basic financial services. Traditional banks required extensive documentation, collateral, and lengthy approval processes that excluded millions of hardworking individuals from the formal financial system.

With just a small team of five passionate individuals and a shared vision of financial inclusion, Mkopo Express was born. Our name, which means "Express Loan" in Swahili, reflected our commitment to providing fast, reliable, and accessible financial services to communities that had been overlooked by traditional financial institutions.

Transforming Lives, One Loan at a Time

Over the past 13 years, we've had the privilege of being part of countless success stories. From the single mother who expanded her tailoring business in Kampala to the young entrepreneur who launched a tech startup in Kigali, our loans have been catalysts for dreams, growth, and prosperity across Africa.

Innovation at the Heart of Everything We Do

Technology has been the cornerstone of our growth and success. While many financial institutions were slow to embrace digital transformation, we understood early that technology would be the key to reaching underserved communities across Africa's vast and diverse landscape.

Our commitment to innovation extends beyond technology. We've pioneered new approaches to credit assessment that consider mobile money transaction history, social networks, and alternative data sources – making it possible for people without traditional credit histories to access financial services.

Building a Sustainable Future

As we celebrate our 13th anniversary, we're also looking ahead to the future with excitement and determination. Our recent expansion to Botswana represents just the beginning of our next phase of growth.

"The next 13 years will be about deepening our impact in existing markets while expanding to new frontiers. We envision a future where every African has access to the financial services they need to thrive, regardless of their location or economic background." - James Mwangi, Chief Expansion Officer

Our Vision for 2030

By 2030, we aim to:

• Serve 15 million customers across 15 African countries
• Disburse over $10 billion in loans, supporting economic growth continent-wide
• Launch innovative products including insurance, savings, and investment services
• Establish Mkopo Express as the leading fintech brand across Africa
• Create 100,000 direct and indirect jobs through our platform and partnerships

Gratitude and Recognition

As we mark this milestone, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey:

To our customers: You are the reason we exist. Your trust, loyalty, and feedback have shaped every product we've built and every service we've improved. Your success stories inspire us every day.

To our team: Our 450+ team members across Africa are the backbone of our success. Your dedication, innovation, and commitment to our mission have made everything possible.

To our partners: From Equity Bank Group to local financial institutions, technology providers, and regulatory bodies – your collaboration has been instrumental in our growth.

To our investors and supporters: Your belief in our vision and your support during challenging times have enabled us to stay true to our mission while scaling our impact.

Challenges and Learnings

Our 13-year journey hasn't been without challenges. We've navigated economic downturns, regulatory changes, technological disruptions, and a global pandemic. Each challenge has taught us valuable lessons and made us stronger:

• Resilience: Building systems and processes that can withstand external shocks
• Adaptability: Staying agile and responsive to changing customer needs and market conditions
• Local Understanding: The importance of deep local knowledge in each market we serve
• Responsible Lending: Balancing growth with sustainable and ethical lending practices
• Community Focus: Success comes from genuine commitment to community development

Looking Forward: The Next Chapter

As we embark on our next chapter, we remain committed to our core mission while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation. The future of financial services in Africa is bright, and we're excited to continue leading the charge toward a more inclusive financial ecosystem.

Our recent partnership with Equity Bank Group, expansion to Botswana, and continued investment in technology infrastructure position us well for the exciting opportunities ahead. We're not just building a financial services company – we're building a movement that will transform how Africans access and interact with financial services.

Thank you for 13 incredible years. Here's to many more years of growth, innovation, and impact across Africa!

With gratitude and excitement for the future,
The Mkopo Express Team