By combining modern technology with an understanding of African market dynamics, this startup aims to empower local entrepreneurs, drive innovation, and create sustainable economic opportunities.

Kola Market is an online marketplace developed by a Ghanaian startup, providing local entrepreneurs with digital tools to optimize business operations and increase profitability.

Founded in 2021 by Marie-Reine Seshie, the startup operates from Newark, United States, and Accra, Ghana.

Kola Market serves as a platform for businesses to sell inventory through efficient online sales channels, increasing visibility and commercial opportunities. The marketplace offers advanced analytics tools, enabling users to access real-time stock level information, identify best-selling products, and analyze customer purchasing trends for strategic decision-making.

The marketplace addresses challenges faced by African small and medium-sized enterprises in the commerce sector, including overstocking, order forecasting, and stock alignment. It automates the ordering process, reducing human errors and ensuring product availability. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to align stock levels with demand, minimizing losses.

The platform is accessible through a mobile application available on iOS and Android, with more than 1,000 downloads, according to Play Store data. In April 2024, the startup was selected, along with two other startups, to receive $200,000 in pre-seed funding from Madica, an Africa-focused investment program. The funding will enable the marketplace to test new features and expand operations.

By Adoni Conrad Quenum,

Editing by Feriol Bewa