MTN MoMo, TOFA, AliExpress ink e-commerce deal

Traders of Africa, AliExpress, and MoMo have announced a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Nigeria’s e-commerce landscape by providing access to global products with secure local payment options and efficient delivery services.

The partnership, unveiled during a press conference in Lagos, aims to offer consumers a seamless shopping experience, featuring competitive prices, exclusive discounts, and fast shipping.

According to a statement on Monday, the collaboration will also empower local entrepreneurs and boost economic development through enhanced digital infrastructure.

The Chief Executive Officer of TOFA, Uju Uzo-Ojinaka, stated, “We are thrilled to bridge the gap between Nigerian consumers and global markets. Seven years ago, we set out to create an ‘Alibaba for Africa.’ Now, with AliExpress, Speedaf, and MTN MoMo, we have made that vision a reality.

“People can now buy not only African products but also over 200 million items available on AliExpress. This partnership ensures easy payment in local currency through MoMo and reliable delivery with Speedaf.”

The integration with MTN MoMo allows customers to make transactions in Nigerian Naira, while Speedaf, a logistics provider, will manage deliveries to customers’ specific addresses across the country.

“Speedaf is also a partner with AliExpress, ensuring that products purchased by Nigerians are delivered promptly and efficiently,” Uzo-Ojinaka added.

“We call it ‘shopping without borders’ because now, with just your phone, you can shop globally and pay locally.”

This initiative aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, with TOFA serving as an execution arm in Nigeria, facilitating the onboarding of vendors and consumers across the continent.

The Director of AliExpress Business Africa Key Account, Geoffrey Jiang, expressed excitement about the partnership, emphasising its potential to enhance the e-commerce ecosystem in Nigeria.

“With TOFA, MTN MoMo, and Speedaf, we believe we can go far in supporting digital trade across Africa,” he said.

The Executive Director of Strategy at MoMo PSB, Usoro Usoro, highlighted the role of efficient payment systems in e-commerce growth.

“We are helping businesses like TOFA reach a wider audience by providing secure and seamless payment solutions,” he noted.