How do you build a startup that survives over a decade in Africa's tough tech terrain?
In this interview, Dennis Ondeng, the CEO of Kopo Kopo, shares his remarkable journey of building and sustaining a fintech company for over 14 years in Kenya and across Africa. This episode is more than a founder story; it's a deep dive into what it means to lead with resilience, vision, and empathy.
Kopo Kopo is a fintech platform that enables small and medium-sized businesses to accept digital payments and access credit. Since launching in 2011, it has weathered some of the most difficult startup challenges—including a near-fatal funding drought, market resistance, and the ever-changing demands of scaling in emerging markets. Dennis has been at the heart of this journey, first as the company’s CTO and later transitioning to CEO, where he’s led the team through pivotal shifts in strategy, structure, and regional expansion.
Born and raised in Kenya, Dennis moved to the United States on a basketball scholarship and studied computer science. His background in sports shaped the way he approaches life, leadership, and problem-solving. His story is one of intentionality- he always knew he wanted to work in tech, and basketball was a means to that end. After more than 15 years in the US, he made the bold decision to return to Kenya, not to seek employment, but to build something meaningful. While exploring ideas, he was introduced to the early version of Kopo Kopo. The potential to transform how businesses operate and transact in Kenya was too compelling to ignore.
In this interview, Dennis talks openly about the struggles that tested him and the business. He recounts the dark days of 2015, when Kopo Kopo’s Series B funding nearly fell apart and the company faced existential questions. Rather than give up, Dennis and the team used that moment as a turning point. It forced them to reassess how they were building, who they were building for, and how to better lead with people in mind. That period forged a deeper sense of purpose and built a foundation for longevity.
Dennis also shares his perspective on scaling into new markets. Kopo Kopo experimented with expansion into Ghana, Uganda, and other African countries. What they learned was that timing and market readiness are just as important as the product itself. He discusses the value of experimentation, failing fast, and building systems that allow you to iterate without losing focus. The company’s decision to work with partners instead of going in alone helped reduce risk and improve market fit. These strategies alongside a disciplined focus on the needs of merchants enabled Kopo Kopo to evolve and remain relevant in a competitive space.
Beyond the business tactics, Dennis offers rare insights into leadership evolution. Moving from CTO to CEO was not just a change in title, it was a shift in mindset. As CEO, he had to balance engineering precision with people management, investor relations, long-term vision, and operational execution. He shares his greatest lesson which was to build what people truly need, not what seems impressive on paper.
He also reflects on how the tech landscape in Kenya has influenced Kopo Kopo’s growth. Watching the ecosystem evolve, from limited infrastructure and investor hesitancy to a vibrant, innovation-driven environment, has given him a unique vantage point. He’s not just been a participant; he’s been part of the story. And he believes there’s still more to come.
This episode is packed with value for aspiring founders, operators, and anyone interested in building for the long term in emerging markets. Dennis shares how resilience, experimentation, clarity of purpose, and a willingness to adapt have been key to Kopo Kopo’s survival and growth. He also speaks on what he’s most proud of after 14 years: not just the product, but the impact the company has had on merchants across Kenya and beyond.
If you're looking to understand what long-term startup success really looks like in Africa, this conversation is essential. It’s raw, practical, and deeply inspiring.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:12 - Who is Dennis?
06:00 - From Basketball to Tech
11:30 - Dennis' Career Journey
13:50 - Why He Joined Kopo Kopo
16:06 - Building Kopo Kopo Over 14 Years
33:53 - From CTO to CEO
37:25 - Kenya's Tech Terrain
41:55 - Hard Lessons & Mistakes
47:39 - What He’s Proud Of
50:29 - Key Takeaways
53:15 - Outro
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