Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of an e-commerce platform, Kinra, Mr. David Inioluwa Ajibade, has stated that though most Nigerians seldom shop online, they can be encouraged to do more through trust-building, transparent return policies, buyer protection, good customer support, pay-on-delivery services, and adoption of local language interfaces for their platforms.
The Kinra COO said this on Wednesday, through a communique to the press, while debunking the rumours that shopping online in Nigeria is unsafe.
He stated that such rumours are unfounded, stressing that evidence has shown that it is becoming safer to shop online in the country these days due to better technologies and public awareness.
Emphasising why Nigerians need to appreciate local production, products, content, and technologies, he added, “Nigeria and Africa need more e-commerce and logistics platforms to make life and business more convenient.”
Ajibade noted that though physical shops and markets exist across Nigeria and other African countries, shopping online offers convenience, wider product variety, and better price comparison, which helps to eliminate travel time and allows users in remote areas to access products not available locally.
In light of this, he added that with Nigeria’s vast population and diverse consumers, there is plenty of room for e-commerce and online platforms to create healthy competition, improve service quality, and address niche markets often underserved by larger platforms.
Ajibade stated that for Nigerian local e-commerce platforms to compete well with their counterparts in the country and outside of the country, they need to vet their sellers, allow customer reviews, maintain a dedicated team that handles disputes, and offer refunds when necessary to maintain trust.
Speaking on the challenges that Nigerian online shopping startups face and how they can be addressed, he listed logistics, funding, and trust as major hurdles, which can be overcome through partnerships, education, and government support in the form of digital infrastructure and finance.
“Government support could include grants, improved broadband infrastructure, tax reliefs, and investment in logistics networks that support e-commerce growth,” he added.
Ajibade stated that Kinra, a Nigerian e-commerce and logistics startup founded in 2021, is committed to simplifying e-commerce and logistics services with tailored solutions for local markets geared towards empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and impacting the economy.
“Kinra is a full-scale digital marketplace, not just for our products, but also a platform where millions of other vendors could onboard, list their products, manage transactions, and connect directly with customers,” he said.
The Kinra COO revealed that in two years, they aim to become a leading e-commerce platform across Nigeria and begin expansion into other African countries.
