Kenyan tech entrepreneur James Ayugi, CEO of Webmasters Kenya, has earned recognition in the 2026 edition of Forbes Africa, as the Kenyan technology company of its successful launch of WasaaChat, a locally developed platform that brings together messaging, digital payments and creator monetization tools.
Ayugi earned attention following the launch of WasaaChat, a made-in-Kenya digital platform that is designed to empower creators, entrepreneurs and small businesses, providing them a a secure and versatile space to build and monetize digital communities.
Webmasters Kenya has been associated with the development of eCitizen, the government’s digital services platform that has drawn thousands of public services online.
According to Forbes Africa, more than 22,000 government services have been digitized through the platform, including services such as passport applications and tax payments.
Forbes Africa praised Ayugi for building Kenyan-first solution that addresses local needs while maintaining global standards, which could reduce reliance on platforms like YouTube or TikTok.
They also noted WasaaChat’s success could inspire more homegrown digital platforms across Africa, reshaping the continent’s digital economy. It also now supports more than 50 businesses and facilitates over $2 million in investment.