Grace Ashiru
MAKA, a Nigerian social commerce startup, has secured $2.65 million in pre-seed funding to support its expansion efforts. The funding round was co-led by 4DX Ventures and Janngo, with additional support from Palm Drive Capital. Notable participants in this round included executives from the delivery platform Wolt and angel investor Jonathan Shipman.
Founded in 2021 by CEO Diana Owusu-Kyereko, MAKA operates an interactive social commerce platform. Its primary aim is to simplify and enhance users’ fashion discovery and purchasing experience. Through features such as live try-on hauls, reviews, and user-generated content from creators and customers, MAKA enables consumers to find fashionable items that align with their styles seamlessly and enjoyably.
“African e-commerce stands poised for improvement, driven by our unwavering belief that everyone should effortlessly discover their style, find representation, and express their individuality. Our advanced technology, combined with our team of experts, not only empowers users but also liberates them to confidently explore and make purchases from trusted and verified brands,” stated Owusu-Kyereko.
“Younger shoppers nowadays are faced with a familiar conundrum: they want the freedom to create their fashion trends and authenticity, but they are also inspired by real people. They look for freedom and uniqueness without lying. They seek choice and individuality without deception. Our focus remains crystal clear, and our dedication to offering users an authentic space to explore their unique style while enabling creators to showcase their content and connect with new audiences is unwavering. Our goal is to foster meaningful connections between creators and customers,” added Owusu-Kyereko.
Young consumers today face a common dilemma – they yearn for authenticity and the freedom to set their trends yet remain susceptible to the influence of real individuals. They desire choice and individuality without falling prey to deception. Our unwavering focus is on providing our users an authentic platform to explore their unique style while enabling creators to exhibit their content and connect with fresh audiences. Our goal is to nurture meaningful connections between creators and customers,” emphasized Owusu-Kyereko.
Fatoumata Bâ, the creator and chair of Janngo Capital, elucidated that her company was drawn to MAKA’s mission because it leverages technology to empower people in the creative and e-commerce sectors, positioning Janngo at the forefront of this burgeoning market in Africa.
By 2050, these three industries could collectively contribute up to $200 billion to the GDP, generate 184 million new jobs, and experience a fourfold growth surge. Fatoumata Bâ expressed her pride in spearheading this investment round, believing it will unlock substantial potential for development and influence across the continent.
