NovaPLUS, one of Kenya’s fastest-rising digital platforms, has been crowned Pacesetter of the Year in E-commerce at the 9th Annual International Pacesetters Awards held at the Swiss Lenana Mount Hotel, Nairobi.
The recognition coincided with the official launch of the company’s e-commerce platform, positioning NovaPLUS as a disruptive entrant in Kenya’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The International Pacesetters Awards are regarded as a premier recognition of industry leadership, celebrating organizations that exemplify innovation, impact, and excellence.
NovaPLUS was recognized for its pioneering role in digital business discovery, e-commerce advertising, and verified business directory solutions—services designed to transform how businesses connect with customers and how consumers discover trusted providers.
Founded in 2024, NovaPLUS has set out to democratize digital visibility by providing enterprises of all sizes with verified listings and advanced advertising tools.
Already, the platform has onboarded a wide range of businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to established brands in hospitality, real estate, services, and lifestyle.
What differentiates the platform is its focus on credibility: every listing undergoes a verification process, addressing one of the biggest challenges in Kenya’s online commerce—consumer trust.
Kenya’s e-commerce sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. Data from the Competition Authority of Kenya projects penetration to rise from 40.3% in 2020 to 53.6% by 2025, fueled by online retail, food delivery, and digital services.
As of early 2025, internet usage in Kenya reached nearly 48%, representing over 27 million users, while social media users topped 15 million. SMEs are leading the digital shift, with 91% adopting digital payments—40% of them within the past two years—and 68% planning to invest further in secure and contactless systems.
Speaking at the ceremony, NovaPLUS CEO Bashir Mohamed said the company’s mission is to empower businesses with visibility and customers with safety.
“Kenya is at the heart of Africa’s digital transformation, and we see NovaPLUS as the gateway for businesses and users to thrive in this new economy,” he said. “Our goal is to level the playing field for entrepreneurs, SMEs, and corporates alike, and winning the Pacesetter of the Year award validates that e-commerce in Kenya is ready for a new chapter—one that is inclusive, trusted, and designed for sustainable growth.”
The award comes at a time when fraud remains a pressing concern in Kenya’s online marketplace. A 2024 report by TransUnion revealed that 82% of Kenyans had been targeted by fraud, with 11% admitting financial losses. Nearly 5% of all digital transactions were flagged as suspected fraud, with retail accounting for the highest exposure at 11.7%.
This has significantly dented consumer confidence, with 80% citing fear of fraud as the main reason for abandoning online services.
NovaPLUS is seeking to counter this trend by making trust and transparency its defining features. In addition to vetting every listed business, the platform integrates user ratings, reviews, and secure advertising pathways, ensuring customers only engage with credible providers.
The company has also committed to strengthening fraud safeguards while educating users and businesses on safe digital engagement.
With its official launch and industry recognition, NovaPLUS plans to scale aggressively, targeting key sectors such as hospitality, travel, real estate, automotive, electronics, and lifestyle.
The platform aims to onboard thousands of businesses while expanding its suite of digital marketing and discovery tools.
As Kenya’s digital commerce matures, NovaPLUS is positioning itself not just as another marketplace, but as a trusted ecosystem for inclusive growth. Its recognition as Pacesetter of the Year signals both validation of its business model and momentum to shape the next chapter of Kenya’s e-commerce story.