Local vs. global is a debate for many of us. Should we support neighborhood businesses or encourage social change around the world with gifts that support emerging economies? This holiday, Marketplace Africa suggests that we enjoy the best of both worlds and Eat Local, Shop Global.
Enjoy the fruits of your neighborhood by buying local produce, supporting farmers’ markets and patronizing nearby restaurants. Then shop for unique gifts that support entrepreneurs and artisans in emerging African markets through Marketplace Africa.
Marketplace Africa offers a range of gifts for everyone on your list, including unique women’s and men’s fashions that offer distinctive looks using both modern and traditional techniques, as well as jewelry, body care, handbags and more. DHL provides the peace of mind as the leader in global shipping and even verifies the product prior to shipping. Shop on or before December 7th to ensure delivery before the Christmas holidays.
I had a chance to interview CEO Chris Folayan to learn more.
Marketplace Africa was created as a response to a need. Africa has not really had a platform to stand on when it comes to global eCommerce. You have Alibaba in Asia, eBay in America, but when you think of Africa what platform do you use? Where do you go? I keep going back to Africa and seeing great things but people limited. Only being able to sell and reach a market within a 2km,. radius. Amazing products kept tucked away from the world. I had to do something. So in partnership with DHL I came up with the idea to develop a platform that answered my question. Where can people go to buy African made products? Now my question has an answer "Marketplace Africa."
What sets it apart from other handmade markets?
We are a marketplace filled with amazing African artisans. We are like no other platform out there serving Africa. What sets us apart is our ability to expand, promote, discover, and distribute African made products to the rest of the world. Our desire to put Africa on the map of creativity, beauty, and products that meet great and high standards.
How does Marketplace Africa support local communities?
We provide local Artisans with a platform they can sell their product on for free. We provide free training, free photography, free lectures on how to write an amazing product description. We give all your sellers the tools they need to be successful global eCommerce sellers. Tools they never heard of and didn't even know existed. We are here to help communities grow and local African artisans thrive for current and future generations. By helping them sell into new markets and grow their global perspective on sales they can help improve their communities, villages, towns, improve education for their kids and so much more. An artisan in a local town selling 1 item to someone in California, for example, changes not just the sellers life and perspective, but their kids, towns, and generations to come. A sale on our platform is a sale that breathes positive changes to a community.
Marketplace Africa, a joint venture between global shipping leader DHL and Africa’s e-commerce leader, Mall for Africa, features women’s and men’s fashion, jewelry, gifts, body care and more. The partnership takes the complexity and uncertainty out of global online shopping. DHL handles all logistics services for the marketplace, including an exclusive product-verification process prior to shipping, while Mall for Africa’s award-winning, patented e-commerce platform manages Marketplace Africa’s proprietary platform and payment system. So American shoppers have access to the innovative designers and craftspeople across Africa creating stunning, world-class products using both traditional and cutting-edge techniques, while African businesses are able to connect to new markets and new customers.
No comments:
Post a Comment