The Ethiopian market is growing over time, especially in e-commerce. After the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more familiar with e-commerce platforms and online shopping, which enables them to buy any product from home. In today’s article, we will explore the top 12 Ethiopian online marketplaces. These platforms not only facilitate easy shopping but also offer opportunities for suppliers to sell their products. Staying updated with these platforms can be highly profitable. Additionally, we will share tips and tricks to help you succeed in this industry. If you are a market owner looking to create an e-commerce website, we will provide information on the best agencies in Ethiopia for website development. Let’s dive in!
What is online marketplace
An online marketplace is basically a virtual shopping mall. Instead of one store, it has many different sellers offering their products (or sometimes services) all in one place. You can browse and compare a wide variety of items from different vendors, making it a convenient way to shop.
How it works
- Sellers List Products: Sellers add photos, descriptions, and prices for their products, and manage their inventory on the marketplace platform.
- Buyers Browse & Search: You can look for specific items or explore categories. The marketplace may show you relevant options based on your searches and past behavior.
- You Buy, They Fulfill: When you make a purchase, the seller is notified and prepares your order for shipment.
- Payment & Delivery: The marketplace securely processes your payment. The seller then ships the item directly to you.
- Reviews & Ratings: You can leave reviews about the product and the seller’s service, which helps other buyers.
Additionally, if you are a buyer, you can easily find a wide variety of products to suit your needs. The marketplace offers a diverse selection, making it convenient to compare prices, read reviews, and make informed decisions. If you are a seller, you have great opportunities to reach a large audience, showcase your products, and grow your business. The platform provides tools for inventory management, marketing, and customer engagement, helping you maximize your sales potential.
7 ethiopian online marketplaces
1. Jiji Gebeya
Jiji Gebeya is a marketplace especially known for electronics. Many people buy various electronic products, including mobile phones, laptops, TVs, cars, and different accessories. This platform allows users to buy and sell both new and used products. Like other marketplaces, it operates on a commission basis. It can be accessed through both its website and mobile application and has more than 500,000 users, making it a special platform for many.
Jiji Overview
Jiji is an Ethiopian online marketplace where people can buy and sell a wide variety of goods and services, similar to other online classifieds platforms. Here’s a quick rundown of Jiji:
- Free to Use: Listing and browsing items on Jiji is free.
- Wide Variety of Listings: You can find almost anything on Jiji, from electronics and clothes to cars and even jobs.
- Available as App and Website: Jiji is accessible through their website and mobile app for easy browsing and listing.
If you’re looking to buy or sell something in Ethiopia, Jiji is a great place to start!
2. Engocha
Engocha is a marketplace website similar to other popular platforms. If you are a seller, this website is particularly advantageous for you because it provides value for free. You can publish your products without any cost. After choosing your desired product on the website, it displays the seller’s contact information, and you can also find sellers on various social media platforms. These features make Engocha unique and user-friendly.
Engocha Overview
Engocha is a marketplace website that offers a unique set of features for both buyers and sellers. Here’s why Engocha stands out:
- Free Listings: Sellers can publish their products without any cost, making it an attractive platform for those looking to reach a wide audience without paying fees.
- Easy Access: The website is user-friendly and allows for easy navigation. Buyers can quickly find products and view seller contact information.
- Social Media Integration: Engocha connects sellers with buyers not only through the website but also via various social media platforms, increasing visibility and reach.
- Value for Sellers: The platform provides significant value for sellers by offering free listings and extensive reach, making it a great choice for those looking to sell their products online.
If you’re looking to buy or sell something with ease and at no cost, Engocha is an excellent option to consider!
3. Addis Mercato
Addis Mercato appears to be an online shopping platform based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Here’s a glimpse of what they offer:
- Variety: They offer a wide range of products, including electronics, clothes, homeware, groceries, and personal care items.
- Vendor Focus: The platform connects you with different vendors rather than selling directly themselves. Their website features a vendor list with various categories.
- Potential Perks: Addis Mercato advertises free delivery for orders above a certain amount and emphasizes excellent customer service.
It’s worth checking out their website to see if they have what you’re looking for!
Addis Mercato Overview
Addis Mercato is an online shopping platform that provides a comprehensive shopping experience in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Here’s why It stands out:
- Wide Product Range: They offer an extensive variety of products, from electronics and clothes to homeware, groceries, and personal care items, catering to diverse customer needs.
- Vendor Marketplace: Addis Mercato functions by connecting customers with a network of different vendors, offering a broad selection of products from various sellers.
- Customer Benefits: The platform highlights free delivery for orders exceeding a certain amount, ensuring a cost-effective shopping experience. Additionally, they prioritize customer service to enhance user satisfaction.
- User-Friendly Platform: The website is well-organized, featuring a vendor list categorized by product type, making it easy for shoppers to find what they need.
If you’re in Addis Ababa and looking for a convenient online shopping experience, Addis Mercato is definitely worth exploring!
4. Addisber
Addisber is an Ethiopian online shopping platform that caters to those in Addis Ababa and potentially surrounding areas. They focus primarily on grocery items, including bakery products, beverages, canned food, coffee, and household staples. Additionally, It offers some non-grocery items like snacks, dates, and cleaning supplies. They advertise free delivery for orders exceeding 3,000 Ethiopian Birr. Contact information, including a phone number, hotline number, email address, and working hours, is displayed on their website.
Addisber Overview
Addisber.com is an online shopping platform that provides a convenient way for residents of Addis Ababa to get their groceries and household essentials delivered. Here’s why Addisber is worth considering:
- Grocery Focus: Their website highlights a wide selection of grocery items, including bakery products, beverages, canned food, coffee, and household staples, ensuring that customers can find all their essential needs.
- Additional Products: While groceries are their main focus, Addisber also offers some non-grocery items like snacks, dates, and cleaning supplies, making it a versatile shopping destination.
- Delivery Service: They provide free delivery for orders exceeding 3,000 Ethiopian Birr, making it a cost-effective option for bulk purchases.
- Contact Information: Addisber lists a phone number, hotline number, email address, and working hours on their website, ensuring that customers can easily reach out for assistance.
- Social Media Presence: Addisber has a presence on TikTok, where they share short promotional videos, allowing customers to stay updated on their latest offerings.
If you’re in Addis Ababa and looking for a reliable online grocery shopping platform, Addisber is a great option to explore. Visit their website for more details on their product selection and ordering process.
5. EthioSuQ
EthioSuQ is a leading online marketplace in Ethiopia, offering a convenient way to shop from the comfort of your home. They boast a wide range of products, including electronics, clothes, accessories, computer equipment, and more, making it a one-stop shop for many Ethiopians’ shopping needs.
EthioSuQ caters to different business models, facilitating business-to-consumer (B2C), consumer-to-consumer (C2C), and even business-to-business (B2B) transactions, allowing both businesses and individual sellers to reach a wider audience. They emphasize having a system for verified sellers, adding a layer of trust and security for buyers concerned about online transactions. For added convenience, EthioSuQ offers a mobile app alongside their website, allowing users to browse products and make purchases on the go.
As a local Ethiopian company with headquarters in Addis Ababa, EthioSuQ supports Ethiopian businesses and offers a localized shopping experience.
EthioSuQ Overview
EthioSuQ.com is a comprehensive online marketplace catering to the diverse shopping needs of Ethiopians. Here’s why EthioSuQ stands out:
- Variety: They offer a wide range of products, including electronics, clothes, accessories, computer equipment, and more, making it a one-stop shop for many shopping needs.
- Seller Options: EthioSuQ supports various business models, including B2C, C2C, and B2B transactions, enabling both businesses and individual sellers to reach a wider audience.
- Verified Sellers: The platform emphasizes verified sellers, enhancing trust and security for buyers concerned about online transactions.
- Mobile App: EthioSuQ provides a mobile app alongside their website, allowing users to browse products and make purchases on the go.
- Local Focus: As a local Ethiopian company based in Addis Ababa, EthioSuQ supports Ethiopian businesses and offers a more localized shopping experience.
Overall, EthioSuQ is a comprehensive online marketplace for Ethiopians looking to shop a wide variety of products from various sellers. Their website and mobile app provide easy access to their offerings, making shopping convenient and secure.
6. Ashewa
Ashewa is an Ethiopian online marketplace that allows customers to buy and sell a variety of products. They offer a wide range of items, including electronics, home goods, fashion items, and food. Despite being a relatively new company, Ashewa.com is passionate about providing a high-quality experience for both buyers and sellers.
Ashewa Overview
Ashewa is a dynamic online marketplace in Ethiopia committed to delivering a top-notch shopping experience. Here’s what makes Ashewa.com stand out:
- Wide Product Range: They offer an extensive variety of products, including electronics, home goods, fashion items, and food, catering to diverse shopping needs.
- Buyer and Seller Focus: Ashewa.com provides a platform for both buyers and sellers, making it easy to buy and sell a wide range of products.
- High-Quality Experience: Despite being a relatively new company, Ashewa.com is dedicated to providing a high-quality experience for all users, ensuring satisfaction for both buyers and sellers.
- User-Friendly Platform: Their website is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for customers to browse and find what they need.
Ashewa.com is a promising online marketplace for Ethiopians looking to buy and sell a variety of products. Visit their website to explore their offerings and enjoy a seamless shopping experience.
7. Kegeberew
Kegeberew appears to be a multifaceted entity in Ethiopia, with a presence in both the physical and digital spaces. They boast the title of the largest e-commerce platform in Ethiopia, functioning as a marketplace that connects buyers and sellers. They offer a wide range of products, including daily essentials like groceries, vegetables, fruits, beverages, and cleaning supplies; household goods such as furniture, electronics, and stationery; fashion items including clothing and personal care products; and specialized categories like construction materials, agricultural supplies, and pet food.
Additionally, there are brick-and-mortar Kegeberew stores in Addis Ababa, including locations like the “Kegeberew Summit Branch” and “Kegeberew Lafto Branch,” which are suggested to be discount supermarkets based on mixed reviews on Google Maps. For added convenience, Kegeberew offers a mobile app where users can browse and purchase products.
Kegeberew Overview
Kegeberew is a major player in Ethiopian e-commerce, providing a comprehensive shopping experience both online and offline. Here’s what makes Kegeberew stand out:
- Largest E-commerce Platform: As the largest e-commerce platform in Ethiopia, Kegeberew connects buyers and sellers, offering a vast range of products.
- Wide Product Range: They provide a diverse selection of products, including:
- Daily Essentials: Groceries, vegetables, fruits, beverages, cleaning supplies.
- Household Goods: Furniture, electronics, stationery.
- Fashion: Clothing, personal care items.
- Specialized Categories: Construction materials, agricultural supplies, pet food.
- Physical Stores: In addition to their online presence, Kegeberew has brick-and-mortar stores in Addis Ababa, including the “Kegeberew Summit Branch” and “Kegeberew Lafto Branch,” which are known for offering discount supermarket products.
- Mobile App: For added convenience, Kegeberew offers a mobile app available on the Google Play Store, allowing users to browse and purchase products on the go.
Overall, Kegeberew is a comprehensive shopping solution for Ethiopians, offering a wide variety of products through their extensive online platform and physical stores. Visit their website or download their mobile app for a convenient and diverse shopping experience.
How to build my own online marketplace?
Building your own online marketplace in Ethiopia can be exciting! You have many opportunities in Ethiopia because many marketplaces don’t target a specific niche and instead complicate things, which can be your competitive advantage. Here’s a roadmap to get you started:
1. know your niche
Many marketplace problems stem from not understanding or focusing on their niche. Decide what products or services your marketplace will focus on by considering factors like local demand, competition, and your passion or expertise.
2. conduct research
Analyze existing marketplaces in Ethiopia to understand the landscape and identify potential gaps. Research legalities, regulations, and payment processing options in Ethiopia as well.
3. create your plan
Develop a business plan outlining your target audience, revenue model (commissions, fees, etc.), and marketing strategy. Planning everything before making it public is crucial.
4. Choose the way you build your marketplace.
You can either build it from scratch, which offers maximum control but requires significant technical expertise and resources, or use a marketplace builder. Platforms like Sharetribe or CS-Cart offer pre-built solutions with features like listings, payments, and user management, which is often quicker and more cost-effective for beginners.
5. Develop core features for your marketplace
Ensure it has a user-friendly interface for browsing, searching, and product listings; a secure payment processing gateway integrated with Ethiopian payment methods; seller tools for managing listings, inventory, and communication with buyers; secure communication channels for buyers and sellers; and a basic content management system (CMS) for managing website content.
6. launch and refine your marketplace
Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with core features and gradually add more based on user feedback. Rigorously test the platform for functionality, security, and user experience. Market your marketplace to attract both buyers and sellers, which could involve social media marketing, influencer outreach, and partnerships with relevant businesses.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the final part of this article. I hope it has been helpful for both sellers and buyers. For sellers, these websites offer great opportunities to grow your business. For buyers, these platforms are trusted and reliable for making purchases.
We also discussed how to create your own marketplace website. By following the steps carefully, you can establish your marketplace business. If you face any challenges, feel free to contact me for assistance with migrating your marketplace website.
By following the tips provided, you can easily navigate the process of selling or buying products. If you found this article useful, please don’t forget to share it with others.
