The Nairobi-inspired transit game becomes the first fully funded project on the Kenyan platform, raising KES 25,000 to finance its next development update.

Ma3 Simulator has successfully closed its crowdfunding campaign on Jiwe IO at 100% of its target, raising KES 25,000 to fund the game’s next major update. The campaign, the first live crowdfunding effort run on the Jiwe IO platform, marks a concrete milestone for both the game’s developer and for the broader infrastructure Jiwe IO is building to support African game creators.

The campaign was run by Zawadi Games, led by developer Kennedy Kimeu, with a focused goal: fund 2 additional buses and 10 new routes for the matatu culture-inspired simulator.

Of the KES 25,000 raised, KES 10,000 came from local supporters, with KES 15,000 contributed by two international backers. A single KES 9,000 contribution arrived in the final two hours of the campaign, pushing it over the finish line.

The campaign was coordinated by a team of three, using LinkedIn, WhatsApp groups, email subscribers, and three TikTok streamers to drive awareness and engagement. No large marketing budget was involved.

Jiwe IO’s crowdfunding model is designed to fund specific development milestones within existing projects, rather than requiring a creator to build an entirely new game before seeking community backing. The Ma3 Simulator campaign is an early example of this approach in action: supporters were backing a clearly defined next step in a game already rooted in recognisable local culture.

More information about Jiwe IO and the Ma3 Simulator campaign is available at jiwe.io.