Mahambi Market is an online peer to peer thrift marketplace, allowing Kenyans to quickly open digital shops and start selling clothing items.
Launched in September 2020, Mahambi hopes to leverage the popularity of existing online thrift stores owned by young Kenyans. Such small businesses have found success on social media and messaging platforms, particularly Instagram, Twitter and Whatsapp.
Already, about 250 vendors have signed up on Mahambi, selling everything from men’s and women’s clothing to shoes, accessories and skincare.
Sellers snap and upload photos of their products, which are are vetted before being accepted to the platform.
Once a sale is made, the seller receives a notification but funds remain in the Mahambi wallet until the buyer confirms they are comfortable with the purchase.
Upon payment, buyers can expect to receive deliveries of the items at their doorsteps.
The market also integrates various social features, with sellers able to customize interactive profiles to boost engagement and reach more customers.
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Many young Kenyans who purchase clothing items from online thrift stores do so based on referrals and recommendations from friends.
By integrating features meant to ensure trust and security, Mahambi hopes to become a leader in the thrift space.
The platform also hopes to promote reuse, reduce and recycle culture in Kenyan fashion by making it easier to sell one’s least-worn clothing items.
“There are so many individuals out there with more clothes than they do wear and would love a space to creatively showcase this wardrobe and potentially sell these items, there is even a larger population eager to browse through and shop thrift items without the hassle of leaving their homes.” Mahambi Market CEO Sanjeev Jandu observed.
Coming during the Covid-19 pandemic, the platform is also seen as an avenue for young entrepreneurs to earn despite the harsh economic times.
The pandemic has also seen many Kenyans turn to eCommerce platforms for their shopping needs, with cash transactions discouraged and various restrictions in place.
The platform also disclosed plans to partner with charities for dead stock to be donated.
