Kenyan social commerce start-up Chpter has officially spun off Pluto, a WhatsApp API suite designed to help businesses automate customer interactions and facilitate in-app payments. Launched in 2025, Pluto now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Chpter, with Andrew Bosson, formerly Chpter’s Chief Growth Officer, as the Co-founder and CEO.
Pluto’s launch addresses a growing challenge for Kenyan businesses struggling to capitalize on social commerce. While millions of Kenyans shop via social media, many transactions are abandoned when users are redirected to external payment platforms. Pluto eliminates this friction by enabling seamless payments within WhatsApp, allowing businesses to retain customers without requiring them to switch apps.
“Following our partnership with Meta, we received an overwhelming number of requests from startups and companies looking to build custom chat-based experiences on WhatsApp,” said Tesh Mbaabu, Chpter’s Co-founder and CEO. “In just a few months, we’ve onboarded major clients across various industries.”
Despite the rise of social commerce, many businesses in Kenya continue to face high cart abandonment rates due to cumbersome payment processes. Pluto aims to transform WhatsApp into a full-service platform where customers can browse, purchase, and engage without leaving the chat interface.
“By the end of 2024, it became evident that we needed to make this possible, and Pluto was born,” Mbaabu added.
Pluto has already secured major clients, including NCBA Bank, Britam Insurance, Safarilink, and the Kenyan Government. The company operates on a hybrid revenue model, charging businesses a monthly subscription fee ranging from $50 for small enterprises to $550 for larger organizations. Additionally, Pluto generates revenue from per-interaction fees related to sales, customer support, and outbound WhatsApp messages used for marketing and operational communications as part of its role as a Meta business partner.
No Comments