Tech in Africa
44-year-old Uhuru market, set to have the first e-commerce site in the region. Over 1000 traders at Nairobi’s Uhuru Market will now have access to new customers as a result of the new ground-breaking platform. According to Business Today, the website will be a result of cooperation with the HEVA catalyst fund that is invested in East Africa’s creative economy.
Taking to CNBC Africa, Njoki Ngumi, the Programs and Strategy Lead at HEVA Fund shared her insights on this digital platform targeting the Kenyan market.
As an open-air market renowned for selling textiles and uniforms this website should be no different. The idea is to expand its customer base beyond walk-in buyers. Items on retail at the market are schools, hospitals, hotel uniforms among other items.
The website was developed by Vivo Active Wear. Eventually, the vision is addresses problems arising from value chains in clothes and fashion.
The development champions the government’s ‘Buy-Kenya, Build-Kenya’ campaign to increase purchases of locally manufactured clothing and apparel. Traders working on the platform were also registered with the Kenya Fashion Council, (KFCO).
Innovation and adjusting to the tech sector are vital for small-scale traders given the restrictions on movement and social distancing. Users can shop for various goods scrolling through different traders, making their pick, and having it delivered to them. Delivery partners have been selected to facilitate product deliveries within 24-48 hours of order placement.
