Naspers and Tencent-owned mobile social and instant messaging platform WeChat has announced a partnership with four Nigerian startups to boost ecommerce in the West African country.

The initiative calls for startups to develop a mobile app on the WeChat platform and thereby reduce the cost of individual app development.

The selected startups are Tracklist, Pass.ng, GingerBox and Paylater that offer fashion, education, trade and payment services respectively.

The partnership was announced by WeChat Regional Manager for West Africa, Idemudia Dima-Okojie who said in addition to boosting ecommerce in Nigeria, the alliance would also hasten the growth of emerging startups in the country.

Dima-Okojie said with the partnership and support that would be provided by WeChat, the selected startups will be able to expand their online presence; they will also be connected to large number of potential customers who are already on the platform.

He said, "While we are partnering some for business expansion, we will be providing special funding for others, just the same way we have done with technology startups in other parts of the world."

When Nigerians support the startups through WeChat platform, they will receive an automatic discount up to NGN1,000 and above, based on the business volume, Dima-Okojie added.