Kenya is undergoing a rapid digital revolution. At the apex of the transition is the emergence of online stores and retail shopping websites. The new array of digital platforms is where accessibility, variety, and convenience converge to redefine the way Kenyans shop. Here are the top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya, where you can be sure to find anything; from groceries to home décor to electronics to fashion products.
1. Jumia
Jumia is undoubtedly #1 in our top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya. What many people don’t know is that Jumia belongs to Africa Internet Group, which also owns other e-commerce platforms including Jovago, Lamudi, Keymu, Easy Taxi, and HelloFood.
Jumia online shop has its root in Lagos, Nigeria. The platform is the creative thinking of two ex-McKinsey consultants, Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara alongside Raphael Kofi Afaedor and Tunde Kehinde.
Thus, Jumia’s reputation extends beyond Kenya’s borders. If you didn’t know, Jumia’s online shopping platform is considered the largest and most reputable in the entire East African region and Africa at large.
The platform has almost all kinds of products you can imagine and is the leading e-commerce retail shop in Kenya’s e-commerce industry. Find out why Jumia is the leading online shop in Africa.
2. Kilimall
Kilimall is an online marketplace founded by Yang Tao, a former Huawei employee. The Chinese startup e-commerce platform is based in Nairobi and has been actively operating since its launch in 2014.
The company claims to be the most affordable online shop in Kenya. Its online platform features a variety of products ranging from phones and accessories to fashion and beauty products to electronic items.
Like Jumia, Kilimall offers home deliveries countrywide. The website is said to have over 10 million users. Kilimall also distributes in Nigeria and Uganda.
In its early days, Kilimall focused on local merchants. It invited genuine local sellers to its online market and from every successful sale, Kilimall earned a commission.
In 2015, Kilimall opened a website for Chinese suppliers. Today, Chinese sellers constitute 50% of Kilimall’s vendors according to Techinasia.
3. Sky Garden
Sky.Garden became popular across the country with its controversial advert, “Don’t go to Sky.Garden.” The company was founded in 2017 by Christian Grubak and Martin Majlund.
The vision of the Danish B2C venture SaaS platform is to help retailers digitize online and offline sales. It made revenues by earning a commission for every successful sale on its platform.
However, in 2022, Sky Garden went insolvent leading to its subsequent acquisition by Lipa Later, a Kenyan tech credit platform.
Today, Sky Garden lives to achieve its vision. It offers free and easy registration and product uploads to vendors. Sky Garden promises to deliver purchases within 24 hours to customers within the Nairobi area. Customers located outside Nairobi can get their orders delivered to them within 2-3 days.
At Sky Garden, you can expect to find everything from art and safety equipment to household items to mobile phones to fashion and beauty products to electronics and home appliances.
4. Masoko
If all you’re aiming to buy are genuine mobile phones and electronic products, visit Masoko. What I love most about Masoko is that the platform is entirely genuine and African!
For those who don’t know, Masoko online market is owned and operated by Safaricom, the biggest Kenyan telecommunication firm. Worth noting, Safaricom has a reputation for offering products and services of exceptional quality. So, you can trust Masoko any time any day.
But there are other many more reasons Masoko appears in our list of the top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya. I might not cover everything in this article but just know that besides featuring genuine-only products, the Masoko platform accepts instant returns and money-back.
The Safaricom-owned site also keeps you updated with Safaricom’s latest offers and makes them accessible to you from the comfort of your smartphone.
5. Jiji
Jiji is undoubtedly one of the most popular online shopping websites in Kenya. At Jiji, you expect to find different kinds of products including automobiles, food, smartphones and accessories, home appliances, and electronics.
But there is one thing that sets Jiji apart: this online platform offers you the option of accessing and buying pocket-friendly used items if you can’t afford new alternatives.
What’s more, Jiji has more than just products. You can browse and choose from a broad range of services offered by the many service providers listing their offerings on the website.
Jiji has been in existence since 2014. The company traces its history to Anton Volianskyi’s personal blog, Jiji Blog. Anton founded the blog in Legos, Nigeria to provide information on entertainment, technologies, businesses, news, life stories, and tips.
Today, Jiji is reported to have over 2 million active ads and 10 million unique visits monthly.
I don’t know what you think of this, but for me, Jiji’s story demonstrates the revolution of an idea from a small dream into something big.
6. Copia
Copia is now among the most familiar brands in Kenya. This rapidly growing online platform is the brainchild of Jonathan Lewis and Tracey Turner. The duo founded the company in 2013.
In a span of just a decade, Copia has made a name for itself. It leverages a network of agents and mobile technology to make a wide range of goods accessible to Kenyan consumers in remote peri-urban and rural areas.
Copia is known for distributing farm products and tools, construction materials, beauty products, health products, electronics, and appliances.
7. Shopit
Our list of the top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya will be incomplete without Shopit. Although not as popular as its peers on this list, Shopit has been in existence for more than a decade.
Shopit makes the following claims:
Shopit is the Kenya’s leading online shopping website with a proven track record on trustworthiness, best prices, speedy delivery, and excellent service for over 10 year
shopit.co.ke
Shopit offers you the opportunity to benefit from great deals from Kenya’s leading brands. The website lists networking products, home appliances, tablets, computers, mobile phones, and electronics.
But that’s not all. Shopit also sells books, perfumes, office supplies, alcoholic drinks, fitness and sports equipment, and medical supplies. Buy from Shopit and they will deliver your order to your doorstep.
8. Jambo shop
Jambo Shoppe, simply known as, Jambo, is indeed an e-commerce platform to mention among the top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya.
This platform is popular for its best deals. It is among the newest online shops in Kenya, having been in the industry for just 5 years.
Since its launch in 2018, Jambo has won a huge following. The platform’s remarkable social media presence explains its rapid growth. Millions of sellers, merchants, and consumers actively interact at Jambo online shop.
Jamboshop ranks 19th among 55 active competitors in Kenya’s e-commerce space.
9. Electrohub
The little-known Electrohub makes it to the list of the top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya due to its expertise in the home electronics sub-niche.
If you’re looking for a place to conveniently buy electronics products including projectors, speakers, television, or accessories like headphones and earphones, Electrohub is the place to visit.
Beyond these products, the platform provides a variety of custom designs, professional consultation, maintenance, and expert installation on a wide range of business and home technologies.
10. PigiaMe
PigiaMe closes our discussion on the top 10 best online stores and shopping websites in Kenya. The site is a product of the popular career website, BrighterMonday. The website is operated by Ringier One Africa Media.
With a mission to connect buyers and sellers, PigiaMe is the place to find any product you may want to buy online. For sellers, the website provides an advertising place while for buyers, it is the site to browse the deals that suit the size of your pocket.
You can find anything from electronics products to cars to garden equipment to beauty and fashion items.
PigiaMe also features job adverts and can be a favorite online platform for job seekers.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned online shopper or new to the digital retail experience, these 10 platforms are sure to enhance your shopping journey and bring convenience right to your fingertips.
