Retailers from the US and UK can now offer their goods to the growing consumer market in Africa through a new website MallForAfrica.com (MFA).
MFA is looking to tap the continent this year as it has already launched operations in Nigeria and is offering 7.8 billion items for sale from apparels, books and gadgets.
Macy’s, one of America’s largest online shops, has already signed up for on the platform. Other big stores include Gap.
"There is a significant population in Nigeria, and many other African countries, who can afford and want to purchase Western products. For many years, security issues and logistics made this difficult or even impossible,” Chris Folayan the founder of the site said.
“But now we are able to use digital technology to offer Africa the access it has wanted, while guaranteeing retailers that their transactions will be secure and delivered safely."
The service allows users to purchase ‘MallForAfrica WebCards’ that can then be loaded with credit to allow consumers to purchase goods on the platform.
Through MallforAfrica, the purchases are first shipped to a US warehouse facility, where they are inspected to be sure they are the correct and undamaged items, since returns are not permitted.
Then they are air-freighted via DHL and other means to Nigeria, where they are delivered either to one of the many MallforAfrica pickup sites or directly to the purchaser's door, the company has said.
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