iSOKO mobile app launched in Nairobi to boost trade among women entrepreneurs in East Africa
Date: 2023-03-23
The President of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Richard Ngati has revealed the newly launched iSOKO digital app by KNCCI and Trademark Africa will greatly assist women entrepreneurs in Kenya to connect with potential buyers, allowing them to reach a wider audience and sell their products more easily.
Speaking
during the launching ceremony in Nairobi, Mr. Ngati disclosed that the mobile
app will have a significant impact on the lives of women traders, by increasing
their income, improving their bargaining power, and promoting their economic
independence.
According
to him approximately 20,000 female entrepreneurs are expected to enroll in the
mobile app by the end of 2023.
The
Secretary of Trade, Investment, and Industry, Bruno Linyiru in his remarks noted
that the e-commerce platform would leverage the widespread availability of
smartphones across the East African region to enhance revenues of women-led
businesses.
He said
the digital platform will also provide women traders with real-time information
about market prices, demand, and supply and tips on improving the
quality and presentation of their products.
On his
part, the Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya, Christopher Thornley also
remarked that “having women at the center is how we do development, foreign
policy, and trade. It is effective, and helps us to meet our development
objectives.”
He added
that iSoko will go a long way in addressing the key market and information gaps
that exist for women traders in cross-border trade, adding that the platform,
will serve to bring together women traders from five countries in East African
communities – Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
iSOKO is an integrated
information platform that supports and boosts women-owned businesses in East
Africa.
