Kenyan chat-based commerce platform Sukhiba changes its name to Flowcart
Flowcart, previously known as Sukhiba, has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from a WhatsApp-based chat support tool launched in 2021 into a full-fledged AI-powered conversational commerce platform.
Initially focused on helping businesses support customers through WhatsApp, Flowcart has expanded its offerings to include smarter automation, structured customer journeys, sales automation, marketing campaigns, customer service, and integrated payments within WhatsApp itself.
The rebranding to Flowcart in 2025 reflects this strategic shift from simple chat support to a comprehensive revenue-generating commerce platform leveraging AI at its core. Flowcart aims to transform everyday customer chats into revenue streams by enabling businesses to manage sales, marketing, service, and payments all in one conversational interface, tailored for the future of commerce in messaging.
The expansion of Flowcart is due to high WhatsApp usage and continued mobile-first buying behavior in the regions where it is now operating, which includes Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, India, and the UAE. This growth is particularly significant as the platform already serves over 300 leading brands like L’Oréal, Safaricom-Masoko, and Spar Oman, indicating its rapid growth and adoption across diverse regions.
Ananth Gudipati, CEO and co-founder of Flowcart, stated that businesses need smarter automation, seamless customer journeys, and tools that turn every conversation into a conversion. Flowcart is designed to meet these needs, offering a platform that streamlines commerce processes and optimizes each customer interaction for conversion.
Flowcart's evolution and expansion plan involve transitioning from basic WhatsApp chat support (Sukhiba) to a powerful AI-driven conversational commerce platform (Flowcart). It also includes integrating sales automation, marketing, customer service, and payment processes within WhatsApp to drive revenue, expanding geographically, serving a growing roster of major global and regional brands, and leveraging AI to automate and optimize each customer interaction for commerce conversion.
In conclusion, Flowcart's rebranding as an AI-powered conversational commerce platform signifies its commitment to helping businesses grow through the use of WhatsApp, offering smarter automation, seamless customer journeys, and tools that turn every conversation into a conversion. With its expansion into new markets and the addition of new features, Flowcart is poised to become a leading player in the AI and messaging age.
[1] TechCrunch. (2023, April 17). Flowcart raises $1.55M seed extension to expand across Africa and other emerging markets. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/17/flowcart-raises-1-55m-seed-extension-to-expand-across-africa-and-other-emerging-markets/
[2] TechRadar. (2025, March 15). Flowcart rebrands as an AI-powered conversational commerce platform. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/flowcart-rebrands-as-an-ai-powered-conversational-commerce-platform
Flowcart's transformation from a chat support tool to an AI-powered conversational commerce platform demonstrates its strategic shift towards leveraging technology in the realm of business finance and e-commerce. With the integration of sales automation, marketing, customer service, and payment processes within WhatsApp, Flowcart aims to generate revenues for businesses while streamlining their commerce processes.
Expanding geographically and serving an increasing number of major global and regional brands, Flowcart is poised to become a key player in the confluence of AI, technology, and business, particularly in the future of commerce in messaging.
