More than 400 traders in Isiolo County are set to access new customers courtesy of the e-commerce platform made possible through an EU Funded Project. E-siolo platform is part of the Building Drought Resilience in Isiolo County through Sustainable Livelihoods (DRIC) project funded by the European Union.
The platform is being rolled out by E4Impact Foundation- one of the consortium partners implementing the project. The goal of this project is to contribute towards increased resilience to droughts and other negative impacts of climate change for vulnerable groups and improve the nutrition status of children under 5 years in Isiolo County.
E-siolo platform
The Esiolo multitenancy e-commerce platform will help expand the trader’s market reach beyond walk-in clientele. On the Marketplace, the traders will have tailor-made e-commerce shops where buyers can search and shop for a wide range of products from Isiolo County. The platform features camel milk & meat, Isiolo honey, poultry and animal feeds as the major product categories.
“We are very happy to launch the Isiolo Digital Platform; indeed, this is a great achievement for our entrepreneurs in Isiolo. Not only will they expand their market access locally, but this platform will introduce to the world the very best of Isiolo. To the EU, thank you for your support to the people of Kenya. To our local entrepreneurs, I urge you now to focus on improving your products to be competitive in order to attract and retain new customers” CS Ministry of Devolution, Prof Margaret Kobia.
Improving livelihoods
Digital marketing is one of the major enablers of economic recovery, especially in the post-COVID-19 pandemic. Through this platform, traders in Isiolo County will conduct their businesses online and get access to customers to whom they can sell their products seamlessly.
It not only eases trade but also means great opportunities, especially for youth and women, ultimately improving their livelihoods.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has catalyzed changes in how people purchase and consume goods and services. E-commerce has proven to be essential for its convenience and ability to serve a larger customer base. Therefore, this platform will ensure a streamlined online order placement, secured payments, and an efficient delivery process where a network of riders and delivery partners have been identified to deliver orders affordably within 24-48 hours within Isiolo County and countrywide complete with buyer protection policy. The platform presents an opportunity for youth employment through access to markets for youth groups to showcase and sell their products, ” Dr. Mohammed Kuti, Governor, Isiolo County
Ecommerce adoption in Kenya
In the last decade, Kenya has witnessed a remarkable emergence of popular and successful e-commerce platforms. Some of the fastest-growing e-commerce platforms in Kenya include:
1) Digital Comrade Kenya
Digital Comrade is a Kenyan e-commerce startup developed and run by students from Moi University. The platform provides students in Kenyan universities and colleges with an open and free multivendor campus marketplace. It is estimated to be serving more than one thousand users from over 20 campuses on daily basis. According to their official website, the platform was launched in September 2019.
2) Twiga Foods
Twiga Foods was founded on Nov 23, 2013. is a mobile-based supply platform for Africa’s retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls. The company is using a mobile-based, cashless, business-to-business (B2B) supply platform to access distribution to the millions of small and medium-sized vendors in African urban markets.
Twiga Foods has successfully raised $157.1M in funding from 23 investors.
3) Sky Garden
Sky Garden is a Kenyan online marketplace selling everything within Electronics, Home & Living, Beauty, Fashion, and many other categories.
Other popular e-commerce platforms in Kenya Include Jumia, Jiji, and Kilimall.
