Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti, two of Kenya’s well-recognized entrepreneurs, are venturing into digital banking with the launch of Cloud9, a fintech platform designed to deliver a modern financial experience for young Africans. Positioned as more than just a banking solution, Cloud9 is described by Mbaabu as a “movement” that reimagines finance as a tool for dignity, belonging, and opportunity, directly addressing the needs of Africa’s digitally savvy youth.
Cloud9 is being built as a mobile-first digital bank that integrates payments, savings, credit, and spending, tailored to fit the fast-paced and mobile-driven lifestyles of millennials and Gen Z. These demographics, which form the majority of Africa’s population, remain underserved by traditional lenders that are often rigid, costly, and slow. By offering real-time payments, credit access, and wealth management tools, Cloud9 aims to bridge this gap and unlock financial empowerment for a generation shaping Africa’s digital economy.
The venture, still in its early stages with an open waitlist for signups, is being developed with a team of ex-bankers and entrepreneurs. While investors and launch timelines remain undisclosed, the founders have made it clear that Cloud9 will focus on agility, accessibility, and innovation—qualities they argue are critical to transforming financial services in Africa. Their goal is to build a platform that resonates with the realities of gig workers, freelancers, and cross-border traders who demand seamless, digital-first solutions.
This move comes shortly after the duo stepped down from their leadership roles at Chpter, the social commerce startup they helped grow through key partnerships and fundraising. Their entrepreneurial journey also includes MarketForce, a YC-backed venture that connected retailers to suppliers but faced setbacks in its B2B arm. Drawing lessons from these experiences, Mbaabu and Sibuti are now channeling their energy and expertise into Cloud9, confident in the opportunity to redefine financial access for Africa’s youth.
By positioning Cloud9 at the intersection of technology and finance, the founders are setting the stage for a transformative shift in how African youth interact with money. As financial services evolve, their vision highlights the potential of homegrown fintechs to create solutions that not only meet immediate needs but also foster long-term inclusion and growth across the continent.
