From next month (July 2016), online shoppers in Nigeria will now be able to buy directly from sellers on eBay who in turn will be able to access African market especially those markets at the forefront of the continent’s tech boom. This follows eBay’s new partnership with online shopping startup MallforAfrica.com.
Under the agreement, an eBay Powered by MallforAfrica dedicated platform will be launched as confirmed by eBay Business Development Director Fernando Saiz.
“The platform will enable inventory from all eBay U.S. individual and business sellers with a 300+ star rating to be purchased by buyers in Nigeria and Kenya,” said Saiz.
Confirming the deal, MallforAfrica CEO Chris Folayan, said sales on the ebay.MallforAfrica.com site begin first in Nigeria, then Kenya, followed by Ghana, all in 2016.
“We are creating a unique ‘eBay Powered by MallforAfrica’ app to run on all our platforms. When buyers in Africa shop with this app, they’ll be able to shop on eBay, buy what they want, check out, and pay through MallforAfrica,” said Folayan.
eBay and MallforAfrica.com confirmed the partnership will be a financial, marketing, and logistics arrangement only. eBay affirmed has not taken any equity stake in MallforAfrica.
Will the service be available in other AFRICAN countries?