Breaking new ground for Zambian innovation, Lupiya, a female-led fintech startup, has emerged as the overall winner of the GITEX Africa 2024 Supernova Challenge, held in Morocco. This recognition at Africa’s biggest tech and digital economy showcase puts Lupiya and Zambia firmly on the map as leaders in inclusive digital finance.
With over 30,000 attendees, the event drew global tech players, investors, and innovators, all gathering to explore the future of African tech. And Lupiya’s moment on that grand stage? Truly unforgettable.
Founded by Evelyn Kaingu and Muchu Kaingu, Lupiya’s mission is rooted in making financial services accessible to those often left out especially women, small business owners, and rural communities.
Reacting to the win, Evelyn shared:
“This still feels surreal! The recognition we received at GITEX Africa is not just a win for Lupiya, but for every African entrepreneur daring to dream big. We’re more energized than ever to scale our efforts and reach even more underserved communities.”
The $50,000 prize that came with the victory will help the Lupiya team enhance its digital services and expand its reach across Africa. Evelyn noted that every bit of funding fuels their purpose:
“Every Kwacha counts when your mission is inclusion. This prize allows us to sharpen our tools, grow smarter, and reach further.”
Like many startups, Lupiya’s journey hasn’t been easy. When they launched, fintech was still a new concept for many in Zambia.
“We had to start with educating people about security, about how online lending works, and most importantly, about trust,” Evelyn explained.
Starting with just $500 in seed money, the team has now raised over $14 million in investment and built a customer base of over 100,000 users in Zambia alone. That growth reflects years of persistence, strategy, and belief in their vision.
Looking ahead, Lupiya is expanding its suite of services moving beyond loans into digital payments, investments, and mobile-first platforms. Plans are underway to launch in Tanzania, Malawi, and Nigeria, bringing accessible finance to more communities across the continent.
And this is just the beginning.
“We want our journey to inspire the next wave of Zambian tech founders,” Evelyn said. “If we can do it, so can you.”
As one of Zambia’s first AI-powered neobanks, Lupiya is part of a growing wave of African startups harnessing smart technology to solve everyday problems. According to recent data, over 2,400 AI-focused organizations are active across Africa with startups making up 40% of that number.
Lupiya’s success highlights just how powerful innovation can be when it's rooted in local needs and driven by passionate founders.
Lupiya is proud to be part of Africa’s transformation story. Whether you're an entrepreneur, informal trader, or civil servant—access to financial tools should never be out of reach.
If you're looking for flexible support, Lupiya’s loan products might be a great place to start. Learn more here.
