Ebay expands trade with African sellers

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
Aug 22, 2017

Ebay has been undergoing growth in African markets thanks to an expanding partnership with Mall for Africa that now allows African-based sellers to operate on its US site.

Starting this week, sellers in Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa can now send their product to buyers in the US, which they previously could not do.

This past May, Mall for Africa helped Ebay create a new site to monitor the African marketplace called EbayforAfrica.com. That site was an answer to a previous perceived trade issue with Africa. 

Mall for Africa was founded by Nigerians trying to help globalize their country. It created a multi retailer platform where buyers living in Africa could purchase from global retailers particularly based in the US and UK. It is funded by venture capitol from UK firm Helios Investment Partners.

Prior to joining Mall for Africa, Ebay sellers were hesitant to send their product to Africa for risk of fraud. Participating US retailers on Mall for Africa include Amazon and Nordstrom.

Now Ebay can expand its sales partnerships with Africa by allowing sellers based in African countries to sell directly to the US. Early adopters already selling on Ebay's US site now include Nigerian retailers Qeturah and Eclectic Chique.

Sylvie de Wever, Ebay's GM for Latin America and US imports said "This is very much about expanding the reach of African sellers, enabling their platforms, and allowing them to earn and compete globally,"