Tesh Mbaabu is a serial technology entrepreneur building solutions at the intersection of fintech, commerce, and digital infrastructure to expand economic opportunity across Africa.

He is the Founder & CEO of Cloud9, a digital bank enabling instant global payments, borderless banking, and modern financial tools for a new generation of African consumers and businesses.

Prior to Cloud9, Tesh co-founded Chpter, a conversational AI platform that helps businesses engage, serve, and transact with customers across messaging channels. Chpter was acquired by Cloud9 in 2026 to integrate its commerce capabilities into Cloud9’s business banking platform.

Previously, Tesh was Co-founder & CEO of MarketForce (YC S20), one of Africa’s leading B2B commerce platforms for informal retailers. Under his leadership, the company expanded across five African markets after raising over $40 million in venture funding, serving more than 270,000 merchants and connecting over 100 consumer brands to the continent’s retail economy.

Earlier in his career, he co-founded Cloud9xp, an African travel and leisure experiences marketplace that was acquired by HotelOnline in 2020.

Beyond his operating roles, Tesh is an active angel investor through TM Futures, supporting the next generation of high-growth African technology founders. He began his entrepreneurial journey at age 17, founding TeshTeq (later Mesozi), a digital design and software development agency.

Tesh has been recognized among Forbes Africa 30 Under 30, Choiseul 100 Africa, Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Men in Kenya, CIO Africa’s Top 45 Most Influential Men in Digital Transformation, and Top Charts Africa’s 100 Most Influential Business People. He is also a Top 10 finalist of the Africa’s Business Heroes competition and an alumnus of globally recognized leadership programs including Harambeans, Schmidt Futures, Westerwelle Foundation, Alibaba eFounders, and the United Nations Fellowship Program.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi.