Kenyan-based Telecommunications firm; Safaricom in new reports is set to launch an eCommerce platform dubbed, Masoko in October 2017 which will compete directly with established eCommerce platforms like Jumia and Kilimall.
According to the company, Masoko is primarily aimed at small businesses.
The platform will offer products ranging from electronics to beverages and cosmetics, and provide a tool for people currently buying and selling goods on social media platforms such as Facebook
“The difference between us and some other players in the market is that we also want to work with tried and tested brands and merchants. Even if they are small merchants, we want to work with them to ensure they have quality products,” Safaricom’s CEO Robert Collymore said in a press statement.
According to the company, Masoko will work with manufacturers and farmers looking for direct market access and reduce supply-chain inefficiencies including transportation costs and poor infrastructure.
M-Pesa will be among a number of payment methods including other online wallet services and cards by Visa Inc. and Mastercard Inc, said the company.
Safaricom plans to roll out Masoko in Kenya, and later expand the platform beyond Kenya, the company did not specify what other markets the company is considering.[related-posts]
credit: IT News Africa
