Zimbabwean born Clinton Mutambo describes himself as an entrepreneur, marketing whizz and all round blogger.

He is also the brains behind the recently launched esaja.com – a business network that is dedicated to intra African trade.

Simnikiwe Mzekandaba, ITWeb Africa assistant editor spoke to Mutambo, founder and chief executive officer of esaja.com, about launching his website and future plans for the intra Africa trade business.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: What is esaja.com and what type of service does it provide?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: Esaja.com leverages on the meritocractic power of the internet to enable SMEs and large enterprises to explore opportunities beyond their immediate markets. Buyers and suppliers can effectively display information about themselves, their requirements and also interact with each other via a dedicated internal messaging system. Traders in most African countries are simply too small to compete with global peers that are used to addressing gigantic markets, Esaja is committed to boosting their business prospects. We achieve this by showing them that real opportunities exist next door to them and right across the continent.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: When was it launched?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: The platform went into live Beta on 25 May 2013.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Who are you planning to target with the launch of the website?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: SMEs & larger companies.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Why did you decide to launch a website that would help facilitate intra-African trade?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: According to a publication by the African Development Bank, intra African trade stands at approximately 12%. This in effect means that if Africa were a homestead, its inhabitants would live and interact more with the outside world than amongst each other. Such an analogy sheds light on the abnormal and dysfunctional predicament that the continent has to overcome. This is worsened by limited infrastructure and pre-existing trade barriers. As bad as this may be, it is encouraging to note that policy makers have made positive steps to encouraging cross border trade. Whilst this has been happening, Africa has also leapfrogged the technology curve. The missing yet vital ingredient has been a dedicated information exchange. Trade was a natural choice for us to focus on because we’re greatly encouraged by its ability to move Africa forward. Marrying trade with technology is a match made in heaven for us.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Was this then your motivation to launch the website?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: The key motivation behind Esaja Continental Services is to be an enabler of progress and prosperity across Africa. By definition this means that our efforts should lead to more jobs being created as a result of traders accessing wider markets and ultimately more value addition is happening. The challenge is massive and exciting enough to feed our passion for Africa.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Is your website only for Africa or is it a global service?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: Our focus is domestic. That is a bit of a paradox given that we operate on the internet; however, the continent has very diverse needs and challenges that require focus.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: How would you describe your starting process?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: It’s been a never ending marathon needing Kenyan determination, the tenacity of South Africa’s Springboks, and enough passion to match the fans of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. Esaja has been forged in a very tough operating environment and this has taught us not to take anything for granted. Our market has to deal with challenges such as limited infrastructure, corruption and bureaucracy on a daily basis. Building silos to help them mitigate such challenges and effectively grow hasn’t been easy however we’re grateful for the opportunity and committed to the mission.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: And how has the reception been like since the website went live? How many users have subscribed to use your service?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: Asking startups for numbers is like asking a woman what her age is. It’s a bit too premature for us to divulge numbers. What I can say is that we are shaping the product around the needs and exacting feedback of our users. In this regard there has been a promising enough uptake for us to pursue bigger goals.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Who are the people that were involved in launching the website?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: I’m humbled to work with a super hero team that includes experienced advisors, a great angel investor, an awesome legal advisor, committed developers and creative partners such as Kombo Chapfika of Spectrum Studio. I’m elated to be working with stakeholders who bought into a crazy dream and have put their heads on the block for it to be realised. Last but not least, Esaja members have and continue to motivate us, we exist for them.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: What are you hoping the website will achieve?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: We want to connect the next Dangotes to cross border business opportunities. Imagine the jobs and economic prosperity this could create – or conversely, imagine the unemployment and poverty this could help combat. Trade and not aid is the answer to Africa’s quest for development. With this said, we’re well aware of the challenges at hand.

SIMNIKIWE MZEKANDABA: Expansion - What are your plans?

CLINTON MUTAMBO: Expansion can only be a consequence of serving the needs of our members. We’ve got our feet fixed firmly to the ground and are in this for the long haul.