LAGOS/Nigeria: Nigeria’s growing digital economy is witnessing increased competition as emerging e-commerce platforms introduce low-cost solutions aimed at helping small businesses expand their market reach. In a move expected to benefit thousands of entrepreneurs, digital marketplace 2Clicks Nigeria says it has surpassed 100,000 downloads and recorded more than 100,000 active product listings within two months of its public launch.
The milestone, according to the company, reflects the increasing demand among Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) for affordable digital platforms that allow businesses to market products online without the high costs often associated with conventional e-commerce services.
Speaking during a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Country Manager of 2Clicks Nigeria, Bakare Olaoluwa, said the application also entered the top 10 shopping category on Google Play within three weeks of its launch, a development he described as evidence of rapid user acceptance.
Olaoluwa explained that the platform was developed to remove some of the financial barriers confronting small businesses by allowing sellers to advertise unlimited products without mandatory listing fees.
According to him, the initiative is designed to strengthen digital commerce by providing entrepreneurs with professional online marketing tools while enabling them to reach customers beyond their immediate locations.
“The digital marketplace will reduce online selling costs and expand market access for millions of Nigerian entrepreneurs through free product listings,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s largely self-employed workforce requires affordable digital solutions to compete effectively in today’s technology-driven economy, adding that while the platform offers optional premium subscriptions to improve product visibility, access to its core marketplace services remains free.
To improve security and build consumer confidence, Olaoluwa disclosed that every seller is required to complete identity verification using either the National Identification Number (NIN) or the Bank Verification Number (BVN) before being approved to trade on the platform.
He added that sellers who complete additional verification procedures receive verification badges, while buyers are provided with structured customer support channels to report suspicious listings and resolve disputes.
The company also introduced several digital features aimed at improving user experience, including integrated WhatsApp messaging that enables direct communication between buyers and sellers, high-definition image and video product displays, performance analytics for vendors, location-based searches and property mapping tools.
Responding to questions from journalists, Olaoluwa criticised the pricing models adopted by some existing online marketplaces, arguing that compulsory subscription fees and restrictions on free product listings place unnecessary financial burdens on small businesses.
He maintained that lowering the cost of online trading would encourage greater participation in Nigeria’s digital economy and create more growth opportunities for entrepreneurs.
According to him, 2Clicks Nigeria intends to sustain its operations through optional premium promotional services while ensuring that all users continue to enjoy free access to the platform’s essential marketplace features.
He expressed confidence that increased competition within Nigeria’s e-commerce sector would drive innovation, improve service delivery and provide consumers with more choices while strengthening trust in digital transactions.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises account for more than 90 per cent of businesses operating in Nigeria, provide between 84 and 88 per cent of total employment, and contribute approximately 46 to 48 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring their critical role in national economic growth
