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July 26.2025

2 Minutes Read

Is Vendy Set to Transform Payment Platforms for Social Commerce in Africa?

Vendy payment platform concept for social commerce, digital e-commerce illustration.

The Rise of Social Commerce in Africa

As social media usage surges across Africa, the continent is witnessing a parallel surge in social commerce—the integration of online shopping within social platforms. Nigerian startup Vendy is positioning itself to capitalize on this trend, aiming to become the leading payment platform tailored specifically for social commerce, and it’s doing so through the widely used messaging app, WhatsApp.

Understanding Vendy's Unique Offering

Founded in 2022 by Kayode Disu and Peter Ekunkoya, Vendy facilitates a WhatsApp storefront where sellers can easily create product catalogs while consumers can browse similarly to popular e-commerce sites. This familiarity enhances user experience, allowing for keyword searches and direct checkout, all while staying within WhatsApp’s interface. By allowing payments from interconnected bank accounts and mobile providers, Vendy eliminates unnecessary steps, making transactions smooth and efficient.

Innovating with Payment Widgets

At the heart of Vendy’s strategy is its payment widget—a tool that operates independently from WhatsApp but is designed to be seamlessly integrated into the user experience. This widget not only simplifies payment options but also ensures that the security and privacy of users are preserved, as it does not require external redirects or app downloads. As Vendy’s CEO, Disu, states, “The infrastructure for chat-based commerce in Africa is still missing,” and Vendy aims to fulfill this with its innovative payment solution.

Vendy’s Competitive Edge

Amidst rising competition from various fintech solutions, Vendy distinguishes itself by having developed its own payment processor. This homegrown solution offers advantages such as compliance with Central Bank regulations and a distinctive WhatsApp Business Solution Partnership with Meta, positioning Vendy favorably against competitors that rely on external payment systems. The startup's vision extends beyond basic transactions; Vendy intends to integrate payments into a multitude of social platforms, thus making it ubiquitous wherever financial exchanges occur online.

Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future of Social Commerce

As Vendy pushes the boundaries of how payments are made within social platforms, it sets the stage for a revolution in how commerce is conducted across Africa. The startup's commitment to embedding its solutions where value is exchanged demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that could very well shape the future of social commerce in the region.

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Is Vendy Set to Transform Payment Platforms for Social Commerce in Africa?

The Rise of Social Commerce in Africa

Understanding Vendy's Unique Offering

Innovating with Payment Widgets

Vendy’s Competitive Edge

Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future of Social Commerce

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