40 Under 40: How Chisepo Chirwa Democratised Access to Construction Materials in Zambia

Chisepo Chirwa is a visionary who is redefining how people access construction materials. With a passion for leveraging technology to solve practical problems, he has taken a bold step towards addressing one of Africa’s most significant challenges – affordable housing. 

As the co-founder and CEO of Bosso, a startup launched in 2022, Chirwa is transforming the construction industry by making building materials and services more accessible, affordable, and efficient.

Chirwa’s inspiration for Bosso stems from his deep understanding of the technological potential to streamline complex industries. His platform serves as a one-stop marketplace where future homeowners can easily connect with manufacturers, hardware suppliers, developers, and contractors.

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This ecosystem not only simplifies the construction process but also removes many of the traditional barriers that have made homebuilding a daunting task for many.

One of Bosso’s most significant innovations is its collaboration with financial institutions to offer clients a variety of payment options.

Through traditional mortgages, “buy now, pay later” schemes, and a unique “save now, build later” approach, the platform provides flexible solutions that address the financial challenges faced by many aspiring homeowners. 

Chirwa’s vision is to create a more inclusive housing market where affordability is no longer a limitation. 

Before founding Bosso, he already demonstrated his ingenuity in business. In 2016, he co-founded Z’POS, a mobile app designed to help small businesses track and manage their transactions. 

Initially serving as Chief Operating Officer, Chirwa later assumed the role of CEO, leading the company through critical growth phases from 2018 to 2019. This experience sharpened his ability to innovate and manage growing tech ventures.

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Chirwa’s technical foundation is rooted in his education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Greenwich, London, in 2012. His academic journey culminated in his selection for the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2021, where he completed business management training at Clark Atlanta University. 

This fellowship provided Chirwa with a broader perspective on global business strategies and further fueled his drive to address Africa’s challenges through entrepreneurship.

However, Chirwa’s entrepreneurial journey began much earlier. Between 2012 and 2015, he worked with Forever Living Products International as a network marketing professional. During this period, he built and led distribution teams across Southern Africa, gaining valuable insights into sales, team management, and product distribution.