Created by an Ivorian entrepreneur, the platform aims to tackle logistical hurdles and unclear practices in construction material supply.

Blok, an online commerce platform launched in 2023 by Waly K. N’Diaye and Yohann Behi, enables users—including contractors, small businesses, and individual buyers—to order construction materials directly from their smartphones, without needing to travel to physical stores. The Abidjan-based firm is targeting a fragmented supply chain with a mobile-first approach.

The startup first gained traction by offering geolocation and local address indexing services. It later pivoted toward the building sector, where demand is high but transparency and logistics remain major pain points.

Available on both iOS and Android, the Blok Africa app has been downloaded more than 500 times, according to Google Play Store data. Through the app, users can browse product listings, compare prices, choose quantities, and schedule deliveries directly to their worksites or retail shops.

But Blok isn’t just a tool for buyers. It also helps small-scale merchants and material distributors boost their visibility and manage inventory more efficiently. The platform is designed to formalize and digitize day-to-day operations in a sector that often runs on informal networks.

Blok Africa supports a range of payment methods, including mobile money platforms such as Wave, Orange Money, and MTN Money. For users who prefer to pay in cash, the company offers a pay-on-delivery option. “We deliver the same day if you order before 10 a.m., or the next day—either in the morning or afternoon depending on your preference,” the startup says.

By Adoni Conrad Quenum,

Editing by Feriol Bewa