Kwenda Simplifies Travel and Event Ticketing with Digital Innovation in Malawi

Travel and event planning in Malawi just got a major upgrade, thanks to Kwenda — a traveltech and e-ticketing platform that is streamlining the booking experience using FinTech.

Featured on Day 12 of the #40Days40FinTechs Zambia and Malawi edition, Kwenda is helping eliminate the tedious processes often associated with transport, accommodation, and event ticketing.

Launched in 2024, Kwenda’s digital platform allows users to seamlessly book bus tickets, pay online through mobile money or bank cards, and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience. It also offers Malawi’s first e-ticketing solution for events, making physical ticket queues a thing of the past.

According to Founder and CEO Lumbani Gondwe, Kwenda has quickly gained traction, supporting over 60 major music, entertainment, and sports events and attracting more than 15,000 active users in less than a year. However, like many growing FinTechs in the region, Kwenda faces challenges including limited tech infrastructure and unstable internet connectivity.

Gondwe emphasizes the need for greater industry support, urging initiatives like #40Days40FinTechs to continue investing in Malawi’s emerging FinTech ecosystem through capacity building and partnerships.

Kwenda’s story reflects the broader mission of the 40 Days 40 FinTechs initiative: to showcase Africa’s innovative start-ups and promote financial inclusion and economic empowerment across the continent.