With its web and mobile platforms, this startup aims to automate retail in Nigeria. Ultimately, it seeks to transform how African SMEs manage their business operations.

Nigerian startup Bumpa provides a comprehensive mobile-based e-commerce solution designed to empower entrepreneurs with a suite of digital tools to manage and grow their businesses. The platform enables users to effortlessly create online storefronts, manage inventory, process payments, and analyze sales data directly from their mobile devices.

Founded in 2021 by Kelvin Umechukwu and the late Adetunji Opayele, who tragically passed away earlier this month, the Lagos-based company aims to streamline the operational challenges faced by small businesses.

Bumpa offers a quick and easy way for entrepreneurs to establish an online presence, expanding their reach to a wider customer base through instant website creation. The platform also provides real-time inventory tracking, helping businesses minimize potential losses. Furthermore, it supports both local and international payment processing, allowing businesses to accept payments in both Nigerian naira and US dollars.

"We’re trying to solve the inefficiencies small businesses face, because most of them have operated in a black hole for a very long time. They don’t have enough data or information on what’s going on, what’s being sold, and how their products are being sold," Kelvin Umechukwu explained to TechCrunch in 2022.

The Bumpa dashboard provides entrepreneurs with valuable insights into their business performance, including profit margins, average customer spending, and top-selling products, enabling data-driven decision-making.

While a comprehensive suite of features is available through an annual subscription of 150,000 naira (approximately $98), the startup also offers a free plan and other subscription options to cater to various business needs.

In October 2022, Bumpa secured $4 million in a funding round led by Base10 Partners, with participation from investors including Plug & Play Ventures, SHL Capital, Magic Fund, and FirstCheck Africa. This investment has supported the expansion of the team, the improvement of internal processes, and the overall growth of the startup.

Beyond its web platform, Bumpa also offers a user-friendly mobile application available on both iOS and Android devices, which has already garnered over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store, indicating strong adoption among its target audience.

By Adoni Conrad Quenum,

Editing by Feriol Bewa