Our story
Commerce is social.
We built the proof.
Shopi was born in Nairobi from a simple observation: Kenyans already discover and recommend products through WhatsApp groups, Instagram stories, and TikTok videos. We just built a marketplace that makes that natural behaviour feel at home.
Our mission
To make every Kenyan seller discoverable and every Kenyan buyer confident — without needing a big marketing budget or a complicated checkout flow.
We believe the future of commerce in Africa is not built on catalogues and shopping carts — it is built on trust, community, and authentic content. Shopi is where that happens. We do not take a commission or sit between you and the person you are dealing with.
What we stand for
Built for Kenya first
Every product decision starts with one question: does this work for a seller in Gikomba or a buyer scrolling in Kisumu? We optimise for Kenyan internet, Kenyan prices, and Kenyan ways of doing business.
Trust over transactions
We do not process payments or take a cut of sales. We focus on the trust layer — real video, honest seller profiles, and direct messaging — so that deals follow naturally between people.
Mobile-first, always
Almost everyone in Kenya gets online through a phone. We design every screen for the thumb, every feature for low-bandwidth conditions, and every flow for first-time smartphone users.
Open to everyone
You do not need a registered business, a website, or a bank account to start selling on Shopi. If you have a product and a phone camera, you are ready.
The team
We are a small, focused team building consumer technology and commerce for East Africa.
Want to build with us? Check out our open roles.