|
NAIROBI, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Dinah Kanana had a scanty grasp of e-commerce while growing up in a rural outpost near Mount Kenya where internet access was both erratic and expensive.
The 23-year-old economics graduate is unable to comprehend her rapid conversion into an online shopping guru whose expertise is widely sought by peers and relatives.
Like millions of Kenyan youth, Kanana is a beneficiary of a digital boom that has triggered transformations in key sectors of the economy like financial services, retail, transport and communication.
As a tech savvy youth armed with a university degree, Kanana has been able to secure part-time jobs that have provided her with stable income since her graduation in December last year.
During a recent interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the launch of a shopping bonanza by Kenya's leading online retail giant, Kilimall, the sharp-witted youth said e-commerce has unleashed huge benefits to ordinary citizens and investors.
"The online shopping frenzy caught up with me during my final semester at the university. I find it convenient, cheaper and safer to order items like clothes, shoes and phones through the online platforms," said Kanana.
She noted that her youthful peers have almost forgotten brick and mortar shopping malls thanks to mushrooming online retail platforms like Jumia, Kilimall and OLX where they order items and receive them while relaxing in the living room.
"Only recently, I bought a smart phone from Kilimall and the service was superb. The phone was heavily discounted and it was delivered to my doorstep on time," Kanana told Xinhua.
She hailed Kilimall, a two-and-half-year-old online retail giant founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, for transforming e-commerce in Kenya.
Tylor Yang, the CEO, Kilimall International Limited noted that Kenya has become a hub for e-commerce thanks to an internet revolution and high literacy levels among the youth.
"There is unprecedented enthusiasm among Kenyan youth to purchase their favorite items through online platforms. At Kilimall, we are sometimes overwhelmed by orders," Yang said.
He added that the youth usually purchase items like clothes, shoes, phones and jewelry through online platforms.
The Kenyan youth who are armed with knowledge of modern technology, disposable income and smart phones are fueling growth of e-commerce in the east African nation.
Cleopas Muthama, a 21-year-old supply chain management graduate from a local university admitted the urge to shop online has peaked in recent times.
"While at the university, I did not give much attention to online shopping until recently when I graduated and realized it is a cool experience for everyone," Muthama said.
He is currently earning a hefty commission from Kilimall through advertising its products in the social media platforms.
"I have been encouraging my friends to use social media for productive ventures like marketing and selling consumer goods for a fee," said Muthama.
The online commerce in Kenya has flourished in recent years against a backdrop of friendly regulations, rising incomes and exponential growth of mobile money transfer.
Experts predicted sunny days ahead as urban middle class youth embrace virtual commerce to search and buy products ranging from fashionable wear, food and electronic gadgets.
Mike Ouma, a Nairobi-based ICT analyst was upbeat that the e-commerce sector in Kenya was headed for better times thanks to a burgeoning population of tech savvy and well heeled youth.
"Every young person I talk to nowadays tells me online purchasing is both fashionable and enjoyable. The youth are able to compare prices of items and their quality through online platforms," Ouma remarked. Enditem
