Chpter, a dynamic Kenyan social commerce startup, has recently made waves in the tech world by spinning off Pluto, an innovative WhatsApp API suite. This move is set to transform the way businesses interact with customers and process transactions in Kenya and beyond.
As of 2025, Pluto operates as a fully-owned subsidiary of Chpter, spearheaded by the experienced Andrew Bosson who previously held the position of Chief Growth Officer at Chpter. With Bosson now at the helm as CEO of Pluto, exciting prospects lie ahead for this groundbreaking venture.
The inception of Pluto comes at a crucial time when Kenyan businesses are grappling with adapting to the increasing prevalence of social commerce. While a significant number of Kenyans engage in shopping directly through various social media platforms, businesses often face challenges retaining customers when they have to navigate external payment systems.
Pluto aims to bridge this gap by offering users the seamless convenience of making payments within WhatsApp itself. By eliminating the need for users to switch between different platforms during transactions, Pluto is paving the way for a more integrated and efficient shopping experience.
### Transforming Customer Experiences
< h5 >Tesh Mbaabu
, co-founder and CEO of Chpter, shared insights into their vision behind launching Pluto:
“Following our partnership with Meta, we received numerous requests from startups and companies seeking to enhance their customer interactions on WhatsApp.”
Within a remarkably short span since its launch, Pluto has successfully onboarded major clients spanning diverse sectors. This underscores the pressing demand among businesses for cutting-edge solutions that streamline customer engagement and transaction processes.
Despite the burgeoning trend of social commerce in Kenya, many enterprises are yet to maximize its full potential. High rates of cart abandonment persist as customers are often required to exit their social media feeds to complete purchases—a pain point that Pluto seeks to address effectively.
### A Game-Changer in Social Commerce
Mbaabu emphasized how essential it was by late 2024 for them to conceptualize a solution like Pluto:
“By leveraging WhatsApp as a comprehensive platform for browsing, purchasing, and engagement purposes.”
Amongst Pluto’s notable clientele are renowned entities such as NCBA Bank, Britam Insurance Company, Safarilink—an indigenous airline company—alongside partnerships with governmental bodies in Kenya. These collaborations underscore the broad spectrum across which Pluto’s services extend.
Operating under a hybrid revenue model encapsulating monthly software-as-a-service (SaaS) fees tailored from $50 for small-scale enterprises up to $550 for larger corporations reflects how versatile and adaptable their offerings are. Additionally generating revenue through per-interaction fees linked to sales & support functions underscores their commitment towards sustainable growth strategies.
### Expert Insights on Tech Advancements
Experts predict that ventures like Chpter’s establishment of Pluto hold immense promise not only within Kenyan tech circles but also resonate across broader African markets where digital transformation continues gaining momentum steadily.
With Africa witnessing rapid advancements in technological innovation combined with shifting consumer preferences towards seamless digital experiences—the emergence of game-changing solutions like Plato signifies an exciting chapter unfolding within Africa’s burgeoning tech landscape.
In conclusion,
the transformative impact heralded by initiatives such as Chpter’s launch of Plato underscores how innovative disruptions hold key solutions catering
to evolving market demands.
This narrative signals promising shifts marking new benchmarks within Africa’s ever-evolving technological ecosystem.
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