Kenya Seeks to Harness Diaspora Innovation Through MPost Partnership

The State Department of Diaspora Affairs has held talks with the founders of MPost, a Kenyan technology company, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with diaspora entrepreneurs and support the country's digital transformation agenda.

The meeting took place during the latest Diaspora Hour forum, where Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu met MPost founder and chief executive Twahir Mohammed and the company's managing director and group chief operating officer, Peter Kiogothi Wainaina. The discussions focused on how diaspora-led innovation can support Kenya's digital development through investment, partnerships and regional expansion.

Founded in 2016, MPost was created to address the challenge of unreliable physical addresses and limited access to postal services. The platform provides users with a virtual postal address linked to their mobile phone numbers, making it easier to receive mail and parcels. 

The founders said the company's growth has been driven by solutions designed to meet local needs, which they believe can also be applied in other African markets. The discussions also covered the wider role of digital infrastructure in supporting trade, improving communication and helping Kenyans living abroad remain connected to opportunities in the country. 

Officials including Head of Diaspora Affairs and Engagement Komora Yesse and Foreign Service Officer Nikki Matika also attended the meeting. The government's approach increasingly recognises the diaspora as a source of investment, expertise and innovation, in addition to its contribution through remittances. 

The discussions highlighted how technology companies such as MPost can help address infrastructure challenges while supporting economic growth and digital development. The meeting also examined how diaspora networks can strengthen Kenya's links with international markets.