What an eventful second quarter it’s been! As we close the first half of the year, we are still overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of our stakeholders including customers, partners and investors across all our markets. Below are a few of our highlights from Q2:
Tech integrates Lipa Later A.P.I within partner website
In collaboration with the Tech, Product and Business team, we have been able to integrate Lipa Later as a payment option within several of our merchants’ websites. With this in place, customers are able to easily purchase their items from whichever online store they want and pay for their items in flexible and affordable monthly installments courtesy of Lipa Later.
This has in turn increased the sales opportunities for all our merchants together with their average order value
Revamping of Lipa Later systems
The Product and Tech teams have taken the time to improve the current systems e.g. giving the client portal a whole new look and feel in a bid to improve our customers’ interaction with our platform. The client portal is an online platform that allows all our customers to sign up with Lipa Later, check their sign up status, check their credit limits, and track their payment history
In addition, they have improved the machine learning algorithm that ensured all processes are automated i.e. facility approval and instant credit limits being assigned to customers
Lipa Later relaunches in Rwanda
On the 6th of March, we embarked on the journey to the land of a thousand hills- Rwanda, where we re-launched with a brand new exclusive deal and support from Tecno Mobile Rwanda. We also onboarded key retail partners that have been able to service our demand, including Reading Technology, a leading supplier of Apple products. We have received overwhelming support from potential clients and created a buzz within the city.
Electronics and furniture now available in instalments with new Lipa Later service launch in Uganda
Our goal in the new markets is to empower consumers by giving them relief to be able to cover affordable instalments to own or upgrade their electronics and furnish their homes
The grand Uganda launch happened in two phases with the main event held at Fairway Hotel in Kampala, Uganda on Monday 24th May 2021. Stakeholders and the media got the chance to see and experience first hand what Lipa Later is all about. At this event, we hosted the Lipa Later Board Chairman Dr. Akintole Akindele, the Mayor of Entebbe- Fabrice Rulinda, some of our Retail Partners, key Stakeholders and the media. Additionally, onboarded two new partners to our growing portfolio to continue servicing our growing demand in the country. These are; Caretech Electronics, a major supplier of the Sayona brand of appliances and Unique electronics, a supplier of quality electronics and appliances.
At the second event, being a lifestyle brand, we made it a point to create an exclusive event for the major players in the online community. This is where the who is who on the social scene came out to play and this saw us trade in the suits and ties for some dress-up kitenge at the pool side. This event was aimed at growing our engagement, awareness and increasing our following online through organic posts by our guests. Of course not forgetting the fun and entertainment, you just had to be there!
Influencer Marketing in Rwanda and Uganda
Lipa later has worked with some major names to continue to grow our awareness, brand identity and online engagement. In Rwanda, we have worked with Lucky Nzeyimana, Rwanda TV host and In Uganda we have worked with Douglas Lwanga, NBS TV host and entertainer. We continue to see major growth online and offline because of this.
Lipa Later onboards a new Product Manager
Bryan Maranga began his journey at Lipa Later as a Credit Analyst, and with years of dedication to the vision of the company is now our Product Manager for all Markets. He plays a vital role in all product planning and execution throughout the Product Lifecycle and in ensuring customer satisfaction by ensuring that our systems are working properly in close collaboration with the Tech, Marketing and Customer Service teams. Congrats Bryan!
Lipa Later introduces a QR Code to ease the customer journey
With our new self onboarding process, our retail partners are now able to complete the onboarding of a new customer right at their store and within the same day, enabling a customer to walk away with their item. In addition to this, we have developed a QR Code which automatically calculates the customer’s payment plan within their desired repayment period. So instead of having to go through customer support for inquiries, they can save on time, scan the QR Code, input the principal amount of the item and automatically get a breakdown of their monthly payment plan
Lipa Later Kenya Biz Makeover
Our focus has always been to show our community that you can live comfortably and achieve the most difference with the little you have using Lipa Later. Our first giveaway featured a mini house makeover for a single mum. In April, 2021, we identified one family that experienced financial troubles due to COVID-19 plus a tragic road accident that dented their pockets. For this, we partnered with DJ Shiti to elevate the family’s struggling business, and make it Bigger, Better, Beyond.
BTLS Kenya and Twiga Foods came on board to make this Biz Makeover a success. Click HERE the full transformation video.
As we prepare for a new quarter, some of our exciting plans include expanding into West Africa, more specifically Nigeria, launching our Lipa Later app, a revamped retail partner portal, just to mention a few.
Thank you for walking with us, let’s go forward together. Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates!
