Dennis Makori: How Kenyan Entrepreneur Built Millions From Sending Love Messages

Dennis Makori is among the Kenyan entrepreneurs who have demonstrated how determination, creativity and a willingness to take risks can turn a simple idea into a profitable business. Through sending love messages and providing mobile phone content services, Makori helped build a company that tapped into the growing demand for digital entertainment and communication services.

His entrepreneurial journey was not an easy one. Driven by an interest in technology, Makori relied on self-teaching to acquire software development skills. Together with his partners, he co-founded Onfon Media, a software development company focused on providing premium content and value-added mobile phone services.

The company sought to offer services such as romantic text messages, ringtones and bulk SMS messaging, targeting mobile phone users who wanted entertainment and convenient communication services.

However, before the business could become operational, the founders encountered a major setback. They needed regulatory approval to offer their services, but the licensing process took approximately one year.

During this period, the entrepreneurs continued incurring expenses without generating any income. Their savings gradually dwindled as they waited for the necessary approval.Despite the financial pressure, Makori and his partners refused to abandon their dream.

Their breakthrough eventually came in April 2007 when Onfon Media secured the required licence and signed a connectivity agreement with Safaricom, allowing the company to begin offering its services.

Although the approval marked a major milestone, the business still faced financial difficulties because the founders had exhausted much of their savings during the waiting period.In September 2007, the company secured its first deal, earning approximately KSh44,000.

The achievement gave the founders hope that their idea could become a sustainable business. By the end of 2007, Onfon Media had generated approximately KSh500,000 in revenue.

Makori’s journey highlights how a simple business idea, combined with persistence and technical skills, can create opportunities in Kenya’s growing technology industry.

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