MKU Student Develops an e-commerce platform
As the Country grapple with solution to help rebuild small businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19, a fourth year MKU student has developed an e-commerce software that allows SMEs to sell online at affordable rates. Hosea Mungai, an information technology student, came –up with a platform dubbed “ShopSpace” an innovation which uses tech-enabled solutions to improve supply chain inefficiencies and transform access to essential goods.
Hosea Mungai demonstrates how his E-commerce platform works
It facilitates e-trading and e-commerce by connecting respective entities via the platform –allowing sellers to list their goods/services, while buyers can express in their interest and then subsequently trade on the platform.
The platform allows individual sellers to generate a link of their own online store which can be shared through social media platforms.
“Every day, thousands of businesses go online, however e-commerce websites can be costly and take a long time to get built. This is a big turn-off to businesses. Our platform enables one to create an online store in minutes” he said.
Once a client buys an item from “Shopspace”, they will be required to submit details such as the quantity of the product they want to purchase, their location and when they want the goods delivered.
Once done, they will then be prompted to enter their address and pay for the items through a secure mobile money transfer platform.
The platform will then generate a tracking token and time estimates the goods will take to be delivered at the buyer’s doorstep.
According to him, upon successful launch, signup fee will be zero rated to enable more local traders, farmers and manufacturers move to digital economy.
notes, Donatus Njoroge,head of innovations, Intellectual Property and Community Engagement.
