Mama Njeri has run her grocery store in Nairobi's Eastlands for over 15 years. Like many small merchants, she faced a common challenge: loyal customers who couldn't always pay immediately for their purchases.
The Challenge
"Many of my best customers are workers who get paid at the end of the month," Mama Njeri explains. "They needed groceries throughout the month but didn't always have cash. I wanted to help them, but tracking credit on paper was a nightmare."
Before Kopaduka, Mama Njeri used a simple notebook to track credit. This led to:
- Disputes over amounts owed
- Forgotten payments
- Difficulty chasing multiple customers
- Lost income from defaults
Discovering Kopaduka
A fellow merchant introduced Mama Njeri to Kopaduka in early 2025. "I was hesitant at first - I'm not very tech-savvy," she admits. "But the registration was simple, and my daughter helped me understand the dashboard."
The Transformation
Within three months of using Kopaduka, Mama Njeri saw significant improvements:
- Sales increased by 40%: Customers could buy more, knowing they could pay later
- Collections improved: Automated SMS reminders meant customers paid on time
- No more disputes: Everything was recorded and accessible by both parties
- Time saved: No more manual tracking or chasing payments
Key Insights
When asked what advice she'd give other merchants, Mama Njeri shares:
"Start small. I began with just 10 trusted customers and low limits. As I got comfortable with the system and saw they were paying, I expanded. Now I have 45 customers on credit, and my default rate is almost zero."
Looking Forward
"Kopaduka has changed how I do business," Mama Njeri says. "My customers are happy because they can get what they need. I'm happy because my sales are up and I don't worry about tracking payments. It's a win-win."
Mama Njeri's story is one of thousands. Small merchants across Kenya are discovering that offering credit doesn't have to be risky or complicated - it just takes the right tools.
Want to share your Kopaduka success story? Contact us at stories@kopaduka.com