Checkout inside of email
Watu is building an email iOS app to enable 1 click checkout inside of emails.
Key people at Watu.
Watu was founded in 2021 by Omar Thanawalla (Founder).
Watu is an African asset financing company focused on providing pay-as-you-go financing solutions primarily for motorcycles (both internal combustion engine and electric) and smartphones. It serves young entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, who face significant barriers to accessing traditional financial services. Watu’s mission is to improve employment and economic opportunities for underserved populations by enabling access to mobility and connectivity tools that foster digital literacy and economic growth. Operating since 2019, Watu has expanded across multiple African countries, serving over 140,000 clients in Uganda alone and impacting millions across the continent[1][2][5].
Founded by entrepreneurs with a vision to address financial exclusion in Africa, Watu emerged from the need to support self-employed individuals and micro-entrepreneurs who lacked access to affordable financing. The company’s name, meaning “people” in Swahili, reflects its focus on empowering individuals. Early traction came from its innovative asset financing model targeting motorcycles and three-wheelers, which are critical for last-mile mobility and income generation in many African communities. Over time, Watu expanded its footprint to at least eight countries, evolving its focus to include electric mobility and digital financial inclusion[1][2][5].
Watu rides the growing trend of financial inclusion and digital transformation in Africa, addressing the large unbanked population by leveraging mobile technology and asset financing. The timing is critical as Africa experiences rapid urbanization, youth population growth, and increasing demand for sustainable transport solutions. Market forces such as rising smartphone penetration, the push for electric mobility, and supportive impact investment funds create favorable conditions for Watu’s growth. By enabling access to mobility and connectivity, Watu influences the broader ecosystem by fostering entrepreneurship, improving livelihoods, and contributing to environmental sustainability[1][2][5].
Watu is poised to deepen its impact by scaling its youth- and rural-focused micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) financing portfolio, particularly in electric mobility. Future trends shaping its journey include the acceleration of e-mobility adoption, digital financial services expansion, and increasing regulatory support for inclusive finance. As Watu continues to grow its footprint and innovate its product offerings, it is likely to strengthen its role as a key enabler of economic empowerment and sustainable development in Africa’s transport and financial sectors[1][2][5]. This aligns with its mission to transform last-mile mobility and financial access for millions of underserved Africans.
Watu was founded in 2021 by Omar Thanawalla (Founder).
Key people at Watu.
