Kenyan social commerce startup, Chpter, is undergoing a leadership shift as co-founders Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti step down from day-to-day operations.
The move restores control to Mark Kiarie, Chpter’s original co-founder, who will resume his role as chief executive officer, guiding the company’s strategic direction.
According to TechCabal, the development comes according to an internal email shared with staff and investors.
“Over time, it became clear to us that it was right for Mark to take back his role as CEO and chief visionary, steering Chpter with the clarity and conviction only a founder can bring,” Mbaabu wrote in the email.
What You Should Know
Kiarie and Kuria Kevin first launched Chpter in 2021, before Mbaabu and Sibuti joined Chpter in early 2024 after leaving MarketForce, a YC-backed startup they co-founded.
Their previous venture saw the shutdown of its B2B e-commerce unit, RejaReja, in April 2024, amid a difficult funding environment for B2B marketplaces.
Their move to Chpter was intended to accelerate growth. Leveraging their experience, they secured vital funding and strategic partnerships that expanded Chpter’s reach across Africa.
Milestones Under Mbaabu and Sibuti
During their tenure, Chpter recorded several key achievements including:
- Flutterwave Partnership: In June 2025, Chpter partnered with African fintech giant Flutterwave, enabling operations in 14 African markets.
- Business Adoption: Over 3,500 businesses joined Chpter’s conversational commerce platform.
- Funding:bThe company raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding in September 2024, with backing from Pani, Techstars, and Norrsken.
- Spin-Offs:!Chpter launched Pluto, a dedicated WhatsApp API suite, to strengthen its AI-driven commerce capabilities.
According to observers, these moves positioned Chpter as a leading player in Africa’s AI-powered social commerce ecosystem.
Mbaabu and Sibuti described their departure as a “difficult but very personal decision”, expressing full confidence in Kiarie’s ability to guide the company.
“As for us, we will soon be embarking on our next venture, inspired by the lessons, scars, and hope this journey has given us,” they said.
Their exit also highlights a broader trend in African startups, where leadership reshuffles help balance growth ambitions with operational clarity.
What this Means for African Startups
The AI market in Africa is estimated to reach $4.5 billion in 2025, with a robust CAGR of 27.42%, potentially growing to USD 16.5 billion by 2030. This surge is attributed to advancements in machine learning, data analytics, and personalized customer experiences.
With Kiarie back as CEO, Chpter aims to consolidate its original vision while scaling AI and social commerce infrastructure across Africa.
Experts say the leadership change comes at a critical time, as African startups face pressure to prove business models, raise funds in leaner markets, and demonstrate that AI-driven commerce can succeed at scale.
Industry watchers will be observing whether this reshuffle sustains Chpter’s growth momentum and strengthens investor confidence.
According to analysts, the return of the original founder underscores a key lesson for African startups: sometimes, scaling disruptive businesses requires founders to reclaim the helm.
Talking Points
It is significant that Chpter co-founders Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti have stepped down from day-to-day operations at Chpter, handing back the reins to original CEO Mark Kiarie.
This leadership change underscores the challenges African startups face in balancing growth acceleration with long-term strategic vision.
At Techparley, we see that returning a founder to the CEO role can help maintain clarity and conviction in scaling operations, particularly for startups navigating multiple markets and adopting AI-driven commerce.
The move also comes at a time when Chpter is expanding aggressively, having partnered with Flutterwave, launched Pluto, and onboarded thousands of businesses across 14 African markets. Consolidated leadership could be key to sustaining this momentum.
However, the reshuffle highlights broader questions for African startups: can leadership changes maintain investor confidence, preserve growth trajectories, and ensure AI-powered social commerce delivers at scale?
