Innovations

Nigerian startup launches WhatsApp-based bot to connect shoppers with retailers

Nigerian startup E Dey Shop has launched a WhatsApp-based bot that helps shoppers find products, services or institutions anywhere in the country.

Launched in April, E Dey Shop launched its WhatsApp bot, which identifies search queries and locations within the messages it receives, last month.

For example, a shopper can ask questions, like “where can I find Amala in Ikotun?” or “dry Cleaners in Kaduna”, and the bot replies with offerings from over 200 registered E Dey Shop merchants along with information scraped from the web. Shoppers can proceed to chat with the merchant, make an order, or visit a physical store. 

Read:  Two Nigerian Firms Penciled For Shell’s Innovative Prize

Vendors using E Dey Shop’s social commerce platform to generate leads, and manage their products, customers, online store and sales records via their mobile and web applications. 

“Nigeria is brimming with entrepreneurial activity, both online and offline. We are making it easier for retailers to reach new customers and manage their businesses, while taking advantage of the networks, platforms, and behaviors they already know and love,” said Emeka Mba-Kalu, chief executive officer (CEO) at E Dey Shop. 

“Generating customer leads is the most relevant aspect of building an online business, which is why we’re focused on finding new ways to extend the reach of retailers on E Dey Shop. The WhatsApp bot is uniquely positioned to accomplish this, given WhatsApp’s ubiquity and ease of use.”

Read:  Zenith Bank Emerges Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020.

The startup has already signed up 300 merchants, whom it charges between US$3 and US$15 per month, and will integrate payments and logistics capabilities by the third quarter of this year. It has been recording around 500 daily searches on average since its launch.

Read:  Nigerian e-health startup CribMD raises $2.6m seed funding for expansion.

“We are currently based in Nigeria. However, the WhatsApp bot is available globally because it can provide results scraped from the web. We will use the bot data to understand which markets may be ripe for our retail management system,” Mba-Kalu said.

Related posts

2 Nigerians among finalists for $25,000 Anzisha Prize for young African entrepreneurs

NigGal

5 Nigerian girls at 2019 Technovation World Pitch Summit need our votes!

NigGal

Lagos supports 23 innovators, tech firms with N100m grant

NigGal

Nigeria Joins List of Countries Developing Covid-19 Vaccine.

NigGal

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Indigenous Face Mask Manufacturing Factory.

NigGal

Unity Bank holds Corpreneurship challenge.

NigGal

Leave a Comment