eBay will soon be expanding in Africa through a new partnership with MallofAfrica.com, an online shopping startup, beginning next month.
Tech Crunch reported that this new partnership will launch an “eBay Powered by MallforAfrica dedicated platform,” said eBay Business Development Director Fernando Saiz.
The partnership will enable inventory from all U.S. individual and business sellers with a 300+ star rating on eBay to be purchased by buyers in Nigeria and Kenya.
MallofAfrica CEO Chris Folayan told Tech Crunch that sales on its eBay will begin first with Nigeria and Kenya followed by Ghana, all in 2016 with additional countries to follow.
“We’re creating a unique ‘eBay Powered by MallofAfrica’ app to run on all of our platforms,” Folyan said. “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 MallofAfrica.”
With a unique payment and delivery system, the proprietary platform serves as a digital broker and logistics manager between U.S. retailers and African consumers. MallforAfrica has backing from UK private equity firm Helios Investment Partners and partnerships with companies such as clothier Hawes and Curtis and Macy’s.
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Daniela Forte is Multichannel Merchant’s Associate Editor