AfreecartHow can African brands sell to the diaspora?
How African-owned brands and service providers can reach customers in Europe, North America and beyond, from opening a free Afreecart store to getting paid securely and shipping across borders.
African brands can sell to the diaspora by listing on a marketplace built for those customers. On Afreecart you open a free store in the app, list your products or services, and get paid through escrow once each order is completed, with cross-border shipping built in.
Who is it for?
Afreecart is for African-owned brands, businesses and service providers, whether you're based in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi or Dakar, or you're an African founder building in the diaspora. Typical sellers offer fashion, fabrics, food and groceries, beauty products, jewellery, crafts and professional services.
How do I get started?
- Join the Afreecart Vendors community on WhatsApp. It's free, and the team helps you set up your store and shares what sells. See the vendor page.
- Download the app and switch to Seller Mode from your Profile.
- Set up your store with a name, banner and category.
- List your products and services with photos, descriptions and prices.
- Respond to requests: buyers post Buy For Me and Hire Requests, and you can send proposals to win their business.
You don't need your own website: your Afreecart store is your storefront.
How do I get paid?
Buyers pay when they order, and the money is held in escrow until the order completes: when the buyer confirms receipt, or automatically 7 days after you mark it delivered if they haven't reported a problem.
- Your share (the price less Afreecart's service fee) shows as pending in your seller wallet.
- It becomes available when the order completes, or earlier if the buyer releases part of the payment (up to 90%).
- Earnings released in the last 3 days can't be withdrawn yet, to protect against fraud.
- The minimum withdrawal is $10 or the equivalent; a withdrawal fee may apply.
How do I ship to customers abroad?
Use Afreecart's freight and logistics services, from single parcels to bulk orders. Create a Ship Request in the app and Afreecart sends you instructions for getting your package to us. International delivery typically takes 5–14 business days. See how shipping from Nigeria works.
How do I get more customers?
- Promote listings: open a product or service in your store and tap Promote. Promoted listings appear alongside flash deals on the Home and Shop screens. The fee is shown in the app before you pay, and it's never taken from your sales.
- Answer requests quickly: Buy For Me and Hire Requests are customers telling you exactly what they want.
- Build your reputation: buyers review completed orders, and good reviews bring more customers.
- Tell your story: use your storefront to show who makes your products and why they're authentic.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to join?
No. Joining the Afreecart Vendors community and opening a store are free. Afreecart takes a service fee on each sale, shown in the app.
Can I sell services as well as products?
Yes. Service providers receive hire requests and send proposals to clients across Africa and the diaspora.
What happens if a buyer reports a problem?
The order moves to Under Review and your payment for it is held while Afreecart reviews it. You'll see the buyer's comment and be notified of the outcome: either you're paid, or the order is cancelled and the buyer refunded.