Kenyan fintech company VunaPay, which facilitates quick and seamless payments for farmers, emerged victorious at the Latitude59 Pitch Competition held in Nairobi. This achievement ensures VunaPay’s participation at Latitude59 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia, where it will compete against other global innovators in a renowned pitch competition.
The Latitude59 Pitch Competition 2024 saw 382 candidates from 37 countries, with 10 businesses making it to the final stage. The competition, which took place at Nairobi’s A.S.K Dome, featured impressive solutions, but VunaPay’s unique approach to improving farmers’ access to financial resources topped the list. As a result, the Kenyan startup claimed the top prize, securing its place in the international spotlight.
Liisi Org, CEO of Latitude59, emphasised that three of the finalists were led by female founders, marking significant progress in the startup ecosystem. She also noted that many participants were “investment-ready,” with fully functioning products. The decision to award VunaPay the top spot was unanimous, underscoring the competition’s focus on solutions that create societal impact.
“This year, three of the finalists were led by female founders, which is an encouraging sign of progress. Many participants were investment-ready, with functioning products. The decision to select VunaPay as the winner was unanimous.”
The Latitude59 Kenya Edition 2024 attracted nearly 2,000 attendees, including investors, tech enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs, creating a dynamic space for collaboration and networking. Supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), the event showcased Estonia’s position as a global leader in technological innovation.
Importance of Latitude59 for Kenyan entrepreneurs
Emmanuel Kata Kimeu, Secretary of Information and Communication Technology at Kenya’s State Department of Information and Communication Technology and Digital Economy, referred to Latitude59 as an essential link for Kenyan business owners.
“Youth drive Kenya’s economy. Platforms like Latitude59 are pivotal in turning their ideas into thriving businesses. We’re grateful to the organizers for choosing Nairobi as a key destination,” said Kimeu.
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Other notable awards at Latitude59
In addition to VunaPay’s victory, several other awards were presented. Infobip awarded Twiva the “Walk the Talk” prize, which included $20,000 in platform credits. Other organisations, including Cloudplexo, EMERGING Valley, IHUB, and SPURT GROUP, also recognised standout startups with various prizes.
At the same time as VunaPay is getting ready to make its debut in Tallinn, the victory represents a key milestone for Kenyan business and highlights the possibility of increased collaboration between the technological ecosystems of Africa and Europe.
