Efritin.com is a newly launched e-commerce startup that provides a free platform for connecting sellers with prospective buyers using well placed classified ads.
The site began operations on the 1st of April, 2015 and has categories ranging from property and job vacancies, to electronics, pets and many more. Posted along with the ads are prices, location and a picture of the item on sale. Sellers can also include a contact phone number or email address in the advert. Users can also take advantage of ‘Efritin Delivers’ to get their packages to their intended location within the same day. Efritin Delivers is currently limited to Lagos, and only for packages under 3kg.
Uche Ajene, Efritin’s Marketing Manager told TechCabal their unique selling proposition is twofold – verification and delivery services. “Each seller on our platform is verified during an in person meeting with one of our members. We meet them at a convenient location and validate their identity by checking their government issued ID. Until verification is complete, the seller will not be able to post their ads on the platform. Verification is one time only, so once a seller is verified, they will be able to post their ads on Efritin in the future.” In the wake of the OLX scandal, Efritin seems to be taking security seriously.
Efritin also provides user guides to mitigate fraud. Though not the first of its kind, the company hopes to create a space where buyers and sellers can interact safely and productively at the same time.
The first to dabble into the classified ads business in the country was Nairalist, launched in 2008 by Seun Osewa. The website closed down after the entry of DealFish into the space. Dealfish itself was subsequently shut down by its parent company – Nasper, who replaced it with OLX, an international player in the classified ad business, and where Nasper holds a 71% interest. Early this year, OLX further consolidated its presence and leadership in the Nigerian market by acquiring Tradestable, another classified ad website which launched in 2011.
Currently, OLX by sheer scale appears to be the leading player in the sector, and Efritin has its work cut out if it wants a larger market share. .
