LILONGWE, Malawi — A new travel technology and e-ticketing platform called Kwenda is simplifying travel and event planning in Malawi by using financial technology to streamline the booking experience.
Featured on the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi initiative, Kwenda’s digital platform aims to eliminate the often tedious processes associated with booking transportation, accommodations, and event tickets.
Launched in 2024, Kwenda allows users to book bus tickets and pay online using mobile money or bank cards, offering a more seamless travel experience. The platform also provides Malawi’s first e-ticketing solution for events, removing the need for physical ticket queues.
According to Founder and CEO Lumbani Gondwe, Kwenda has gained rapid traction, supporting more than 60 major music, entertainment, and sports events and attracting over 15,000 active users in less than a year. However, like many growing financial technology companies in the region, Kwenda faces challenges such as limited technology infrastructure and unstable internet connectivity.
Gondwe stressed the need for increased industry support, encouraging initiatives like #40Days40FinTechs to continue investing in Malawi’s emerging financial technology ecosystem through capacity building and partnerships.
Kwenda’s development reflects the broader mission of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative, which seeks to showcase innovative African startups and promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment across the continent.
