Cloud9’s acquisition of digital ticketing platform Mtickets is expected to improve how events are paid for, managed and experienced across Africa. By combining fintech and ticketing, the deal introduces new financial tools that could make events more accessible for consumers while giving organizers better control over their operations.
The two companies confirmed the acquisition in a joint statement, although the value of the transaction was not disclosed. The move brings together Cloud9, a digital banking startup founded in 2025 by Tesh Mbaabu and Mtickets, an established ticketing platform founded in 2014 by Brian Bogonko that has already processed over one million tickets.
At the center of the partnership is a plan to embed financial services directly into ticketing. Both companies say this will remove friction across the event journey and create new opportunities for users and event organizers. “Mtickets has always focused on making it easier for people to access events and for organizers to reach their audiences,” said Brian Bogonko. “Partnering with Cloud9 allows us to take that further by integrating payments and unlocking financing. We’re giving organizers the full stack of tools to build bigger and better experiences while making the process smoother for customers.”
Expanding financial tools for event organizers
A key part of the initiative is the rollout of credit solutions designed specifically for event organizers. According to the companies, these tools will be backed by dedicated capital to help fund logistics, manage cash flow and reduce financial risk.
Access to credit has long been a challenge for many event organizers, especially small and independent players. By offering financing within the ticketing ecosystem, Cloud9 aims to address this gap and support the growth of the events industry.
Tesh Mbaabu said the partnership goes beyond payments. “This partnership is about making everyday experiences better for consumers and more sustainable for the people behind them,” he said. “For our customers, it means simpler, more rewarding ways to pay for and access events. For event organizers, it means access to the financial tools they’ve historically lacked, especially credit.”
Mtickets already provides a range of services that help organizers manage ticket sales and marketing. Its platform allows real-time tracking of sales through a partner portal, while also offering mobile and SMS marketing, creative design and integrated digital campaigns. The addition of financial services is expected to strengthen this offering and make it easier for organizers to plan and scale events.
Supporting Africa’s digital and entrepreneurial growth
The acquisition also reflects a broader shift in Africa’s financial and digital landscape. Cloud9 was founded to address gaps in traditional banking systems, which it says are often slow, paperwork-heavy and not designed for a digital-first generation.
The company’s mission is to simplify and expand access to financial tools, helping individuals grow wealth and businesses scale faster. Its vision focuses on making payments and banking easier and more relevant to how young Africans live and work.
This is particularly important in a region where young people are driving economic activity. Africa’s youth population continues to grow rapidly, with a significant share already engaged in entrepreneurship. At the same time, digital payments across the continent exceed one trillion dollars, highlighting both demand and opportunity.
Cloud9 believes its platform can help bridge the gap between this growing demand and the current financial infrastructure. By integrating services like payments and credit into everyday platforms such as ticketing, the company aims to create a more seamless financial experience.
Mtickets’ existing reach and user base provide a strong foundation for this strategy. The platform’s focus on affordability, including no cost for event promoters and modest service charges for users, aligns with Cloud9’s goal of making financial services more accessible.
Together, the two companies are positioning themselves to play a role in shaping how people interact with both events and financial services. By linking entertainment with financial access, the partnership introduces a model that could influence other sectors as well.
As the integration rolls out, the focus will remain on improving convenience for consumers and expanding opportunities for organizers. If successful, the initiative could demonstrate how fintech solutions can be embedded into everyday services to support business growth and enhance user experience across Africa’s digital economy.
