Top 6 Online Selling Platforms In Kenya (2024)

In this article, we curated the top 6 online selling platforms in Kenya, each offering unique features and opportunities to connect with a broader audience. Now, let’s dive in!

6 Best Kenya’s Online Selling Platforms

Jumia

Jumia is a pioneering e-commerce platform that has revolutionized online shopping in Kenya since its establishment in 2012. Founded in Nigeria and rapidly expanding across Africa, Jumia has become the largest online retail store in the continent, with over 100,000 unique visitors daily.

Jumia in Kenya offers an extensive array of over 5 million products, from electronics to fashion and household items. It collaborates with local vendors, promoting their goods while providing customers multiple payment options like cash on delivery. 

The platform is user-friendly and accessible online and via an app for a hassle-free shopping experience.

Renowned for its outstanding customer service, Jumia has also cultivated a significant following on social media.

Numbers that highlight Jumia’s popularity in Kenya (source: eCommerce)

• With over 15 million monthly visits, Jumia is the fastest-growing e-commerce company in Kenya.
• Jumia’s revenue in Kenya is estimated at US$10.2 million, with a 100% share in the electronics category and a 28.4% share in the overall market.

Pros and cons for Kenyan businesses

• Pros:
  • A large customer base.
  • Support for a wide range of products, allowing various businesses to sell their goods.
  • Logistical assistance
  • Secured payments
• Cons:
  •  Listing fees and commissions on sales
  • High competition
  • Limited control over customer’s shopping experience

Kilimall

Launched in 2014, Kilimall has positioned itself as one of Kenya’s largest e-commerce online shopping platforms, with a substantial Facebook fan base of close to 1 million. 

Kilimall in Kenya features a wide range of products, from technology like phones and computers to fashion, books, and baby items.

Unlike other platforms offering payment on delivery, it stands out by linking traders directly with consumers and insisting on pre-payment before shipping.

Kilimall is a favorite among those looking for great deals, thanks to its commitment to amazing promotions and discounts. It provides a unique shopping experience, mixing affordable prices with a wide and varied selection, adding an element of excitement for shoppers.

Numbers that highlight Kilimall’s popularity in Kenya

In December 2022, Kilimall recorded approximately 670 thousand visits worldwide, almost 90 percent of which were registered in Kenya. The number of visits peaked in November 2022, exceeding 700 thousand (source: Statista).

Pros and cons for Kenyan businesses

• Pros:
  • Exposure to a vast and diverse customer base.
  • Direct connection to consumers.
  • Promotion opportunities to attract budget-conscious consumers.
• Cons:
  • Payment before shipment
  • High competition

OLX

OLX, a free online classifieds platform, has been a prominent marketplace in Kenya. Offering a diverse range of services, OLX facilitates the buying and selling of various products, including furniture, electronic gadgets, cars, accessories, bikes, and household items.

OLX Kenya operates on a free-to-use model, enabling Kenyan businesses to save costs on listing fees and other expenses. It also has a substantial customer base, allowing Kenyan businesses to reach a broad audience.

The platform is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for Kenyan businesses to list their products efficiently.

Pros and cons for Kenyan businesses

• Pros
  • Free listings
  • Ease of use
  • A variety of category
  • Direct customer interaction
• Cons
  • The open nature of the platform can attract scammers
  • Lack of seller protection
  • The quality of leads can be variable

Alibaba

Alibaba is a global e-commerce platform based in China. As a comprehensive online marketplace, it connects buyers and sellers worldwide. 

Alibaba operates as a Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) marketplace. The platform fosters international trade, enabling businesses to connect and engage in cross-border transactions.

Alibaba’s payment platform, Alipay, facilitates secure online transactions, offering a trusted financial infrastructure.

According to Statista, Alibaba’s online retail properties took up a quarter of the global e-commerce market in 2020, nearly doubling the market share that Amazon had. In Kenya, Alibaba is highly favored among sellers and distributors.

Pros and cons for Kenyan businesses

• Pros:
  • Access to a large customer base
  • Wide range of products
  • Secure payment system
• Cons:
  • Language barrier as many of its services are only available in Chinese
  • Shipping times can be long
  • Product quality can vary

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is an e-commerce platform that connects sellers and buyers through meaningful interactions and unique goods. The platform is free and available to anyone with an active Facebook account. Merchants can sell various products on the Facebook Marketplace, including home decor, fashion, electronics, etc.

With 14 million Kenyans on Facebook, making up 24.4% of the population, sellers have a substantial opportunity to reach or expand the Kenyan market through Facebook Marketplace (Statista).

Pros and cons for Kenyan businesses

• Pros:
  • Access to a large customer base
  • Free to use
  • Secure payment system
• Cons:
  • High competition
  •  Businesses have limited control over the marketplace’s layout and features
  • Dependence on the platform

Jiji

Jiji is a dynamic digital classifieds platform fostering connections between buyers and sellers across Kenya. The platform boasts extensive offerings, encompassing cars, household goods, mobile phones, cosmetics, toys, pets, livestock, electronics, services, and job vacancies. 

Recognized for its commitment to user safety, Jiji employs a robust security system combining automated and manual verification processes.

Jiji commands a significant presence with over 10 million unique monthly visits and an impressive catalog of two million active ads, cumulatively valued at $10 billion.

Pros and cons for Kenyan businesses

• Pros:
  • Free listings
  • Large user base
  • User-friendly interface
  • Diverse categories
• Cons:
  • Lack of an integrated payment system
  • Limited branding opportunities
  • No seller protections

Bottom Line

Now that you’re familiar with the top 6 online selling platforms in Kenya, you’re well-equipped to choose the right one for your business needs. Experiment with these platforms to find the best fit, and don’t be afraid to invest in premium features if they align with your growth strategy.

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