An innovative shopping platform is enabling buyers in Kenya to purchase commodities and services at highly discounted prices, helping them save funds in a volatile economy.
Dubbed Nuvv, the platform allows users access to high-cost goods and services through group buys or split pay, a means of cost-sharing at a time when the cost of living is rising.
Kenya’s inflation rate rose slightly to 4.6 percent in September 2025, up from 4.5 percent in August. This increase was driven by higher non-core inflation, primarily due to rising prices for vegetables, while core inflation decreased slightly.
It leverages social and community buying for discounts and facilitates group gifting. It has two distinct features, including Group Buy and Split Pay.
For Group Buy, a user can meet like-minded buyers looking for the same products as them through Nuvv Spaces. Users can create Spaces based on their shopping interests, such as electronics, food, farm supplies, and other categories. Whenever there is a deal, they can share the product within the Space and make the purchase together at a discount.
Nuvv Spaces are similar to Facebook/WhatsApp groups and they serve the purpose of connecting buyers, including strangers, who are looking for the same products.
For instance, farmers can form a “Farmers Space”. MSMEs can form “MSME Space”.
This means like-minded strangers (individual consumers and MSMEs) in Africa can connect, buy products together in bulk abroad at discounted rates and have the products delivered to each buyer via Nuvv Spaces.
The same applies to a group of strangers selling similar products. Once they create a Nuvv Space, they can consolidate their effort to locate buyers and have products or services delivered to them.
Nuvv Split Pay, on the other hand, allows users to split payments and share costs with friends, both locally and abroad.
It could be used for birthdays, baby showers, food purchases, weddings, charity causes, among others.
A user simply loads their shopping cart with products, shares the link on social media, and from there, friends, family, or even strangers can make contributions.
For instance, a needy student lacking school supplies can load their shopping cart with products, share on social media and other well-wishers can make contributions.
“We are very happy to launch NUVV in Kenya. This is all about giving users access to high-cost goods and services, whether through Nuvv Group Buy (for discounts) or Nuvv Split Pay (for cost-sharing). Nuvv is also revolutionary in the sense that it allows Africans in Africa to connect with their counterparts in the diaspora and get support when it comes to acquiring goods and services.”
“We aim to make goods and services more affordable to consumers globally. The platform is making the marketplace more interactive, leveraging social networking to connect buyers and sellers regardless of social and geographic differences.”
The product officially launches in Kenya on Monday.
by VICTOR AMADALA
