Former Amazon, OLX executives launch e-shopping venture

Former OLX Country manager Peter Ndiang’ui has partnered with Amazon’s former Head of Product Lesley Mbogo to launch an on-demand shopping and delivery platform dubbed GoBeba.

They are leveraging on their expertise at the e-commerce giants to grow the portal targeting busy individuals who do not have time to shop.

The firm allows customers to shop directly from local merchants and have their goods delivered under one hour.

“Urban consumers face a growing challenge of highly trafficked and crowded cities in a highly fragmented retail environment, making it difficult to access goods conveniently. With GoBEBA’s entry into the Kenyan market, we seek to address this challenge through technology by helping consumers discover and access goods from local retailers and Juakali artisans in a highly convenient way,” said Mr Ndiang’ui.

Customers can send in a shopping list of items they are purchasing via the app, call or text directly to the platform.

GoBeba will then source, shop and deliver.

“Now, local retailers such as butcheries can be searched and purchased by consumers for instant delivery. This provides consistent incomes for Tuk-tuks, Bodabodas and pickup owners while creating jobs in the largely informal sectors. ” said Ms Mbogo.

The new e-commerce platform has partnered with various merchants to offer localised services including gas delivery and shopping at farmers’ markets such as City Market, Marikiti and Ngara.

The firm says it is eyeing Africa’s growing young population and burgeoning middle class, which it reckons presents a huge opportunity for e-commerce and logistics companies.

The startup is targeting expansion to Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa , Ethiopia, Ghana and Ivory Coast over the next five years.