By Alex Kachingwe

Blantyre, August 30, Mana: Blantyre-based teen, Prince Chitseka has launched Jimbo Mart, a company that connects sellers and buyers across the country to transact electronically in what is termed, e-commerce.

18-year-old, Chitseka who is the founder of Jimbo Mart told Malawi News Agency that he decided to establish the company after observing a gap in e-commerce.

He said a lot of businesses in Malawi fail to increase their visibility and market reach, adding that the gap prevents business people from selling their products.

“Jimbo Mart provides a platform where sellers can create an online store for their products and be able to reach a wider market and at the same time buyers can browse through different products, enabling them to purchase these products anywhere,” said Chitseka.

To prevent online fraud, he explained that every seller on the platform undergoes a verification process before uploading their products to ensure that the uploaded products are real and available in stock.

“The company has an additional security measure (escrow) which allows a buyer to make payment on the platform and the company holds the payment until the seller completely delivers the purchased product to a customer,” Chitseka added.

Commenting on the innovation, Blantyre-based business expert, Hope Jabes hailed Chitseka for being innovative saying this is the right innovation in the right direction in this modern digital era.

“We are living in a digital world where we cannot run away from the use of technology. Providing such business platforms means buyers can access a variety of products they want everywhere, every time,” he said.

Jabes said Chitseka’s marketing innovation adds more value to modernization which is in line with the Malawi 2063 agenda, adding that a cross section of Malawians including young men need to play significant roles to achieve the goal.

“We need to learn the good impact of modernized technology which can increase economic growth, business market and national development,” he added.

Chitseka launched Jimbo Mart this year and offers free services to its customers until the end of the year.

The e-commerce company currently has registered 150 sellers and about 200 buyers have created accounts with the company.

Chitseka is currently doing an Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management at the International College of Business and Management.