Jessica Anuna (Klasha)
Overview
Jessica Anuna is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, best known as the Founder and CEO of Klasha, a technology company that focuses on building software solutions to enable seamless cross-border commerce for African markets. Born and raised in London, Anuna graduated with a degree in Journalism from City University, London, and later honed her skills at the University of Cambridge with a Master's in Entrepreneurship and Financial Technology. Through Klasha, she aims to harness technology to solve the challenges of online payments and e-commerce between Africa and global markets. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she has been recognized in Forbes' "30 Under 30" and has spoken at prestigious forums like the United Nations.
Recent Developments
Jessica Anuna has made several strides with Klasha in recent years:
- October 2024: Klasha secured an additional $2 million in funding aimed at expanding its payment solutions between Asia and Africa. The funds will support the opening of a new office in Hangzhou, China, enhancing their ability to facilitate B2B payment solutions across both continents.
- August 2024: Jessica Anuna was appointed as a Youth Ambassador by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This position acknowledges her leadership and dedication to empowering the youth while advancing financial and technological solutions in the region.
- October 2023: Jessica Anuna won the Technology Award at UNCTAD’s 8th Women in Business Awards for Klasha’s innovative approaches to simplifying cross-border payments, supporting over 120 currencies, and currently operating in several African countries.
- December 2022: Klasha announced a progressive company policy by introducing a menstrual leave policy aimed at supporting female employees, marking a forward-thinking culture in the African tech industry.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jessica Anuna |
| Born | [Exact date and place not provided] |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO of Klasha |
| Known For | Founder & CEO of Klasha |
| Net Worth | [Not publicly available] |
| Education | University of Cambridge (Master's in Entrepreneurship and Financial Technology), City University London (BA in Journalism) |
Early Life and Education
Jessica Anuna grew up in London, where she nurtured her passion for entrepreneurship and technology. She pursued a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from City University, London, which laid her foundation for effective communication and innovative thinking. Later, she attended the University of Cambridge for a Master's in Entrepreneurship and Financial Technology. Her educational journey extended to China, where she immersed herself in business operations, gaining substantial insights into manufacturing and logistics.
Career and Notable Achievements
Jessica launched Klasha in 2018, after identifying a gap in Africa's e-commerce sector concerning cross-border payments. Her keen insight into technology and e-commerce, driven by previous roles at Amazon, Net-a-Porter, and Shopify, helped her establish Klasha as a digital payments company that bridges African markets with international sellers:
- 2018: Founded Klasha, focusing initially on fashion retail and quickly pivoting to broader payment solutions.
- 2019: Recognized in Forbes' "30 Under 30" for her significant contributions to the digital economy.
- 2021: Launched Klasha 2.0, introducing new features to enhance user experience and transaction speed.
- 2023: Klasha achieved significant growth with over 200,000 users across Africa, facilitating multiple payment methods for users without bank accounts, including digital wallets and mobile money.
Current Work and Impact
As of 2024, Jessica Anuna continues to lead Klasha as it scales its operations across Africa and Asia. Under her leadership, Klasha is pioneering cross-border commerce solutions, making international goods and services more accessible to African consumers. The company's expansion into Asia reflects its commitment to streamlining payment processes across these dynamic markets, showcasing Jessica's vision for inclusive and efficient global trade.
Conclusion
Jessica Anuna's impactful work through Klasha exemplifies how technology can bridge significant gaps in trade and commerce across diverse markets. Her recognition as a UNCTAD Women in Business Award recipient underscores her role as a transformative leader in fintech. Looking forward, her continued efforts to foster a seamless technological ecosystem for cross-border trade promise significant contributions to African commerce integration with global markets.