Nigeria opens online shopping site in Kenya

david nganga

May 26, 2017 10:04 AM

Shopping sites such as Jumia and Kilimall to be given a run for their money

___6737840___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6737840___2017___5___26___8___Mall-for-Africa

Kenya’s increasing taste for online shopping has seen e-commerce sites tap into the market with Nigeria being the latest entrant.

Mall for Africa, which is a Nigeria-owned e-commerce firm, has today opened its new office in Kenya; marking an entry into East Africa.

The online shopping platform launched operations in Nairobi early this year in a bid to cash in on the growing demand for online shopping.

“We see Kenya as the biggest e-commerce opportunity in East Africa and the numbers and data show it,” said Tope Folayan, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Mall for Africa.

Kenyans are increasingly taking up to ‘e-tailing’ – where they shop online and have the goods delivered to their homes or offices. This has resulted in the entry of new players and expansion by existing providers.

E-commerce sites such as Jumia, Kilimall and others have partnered with major brands in clothing, electronics, household goods and even hotels and restaurants and supermarkets to offer users the convenience of shopping from their homes or offices and the option of delivery.

The Mall for Africa has more than 8.5 billion items for sale at more than 150 US and UK stores such as Amazon, Carters, Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Topshop UK, Barneys, Bloomingdale’s and J. Crew.

It also offers e-commerce solutions including Mall for Africa Deals, Mall for Africa Auction, and Mall for Africa Custom Orders.

The Lagos-based company was opened in 2011 by Nigerian brothers Chris and Tope Folayan, seeking to bridge the gap between consumers and global brands that have shied away from having local outlets in spite of the growing demand.

david nganga