MAKA, a Nigerian fashion e-commerce platform, has successfully raised $2.65 million in a pre-seed funding round aimed at simplifying and enhancing the purchase of fashion and beauty products in Africa.
The funding round includes notable investors such as Palm Drive Capital, Angel investor Jonathan Shipman (founder of EVP and Twitch founding member), and executives from the delivery platform Wolt.
Founded with the mission to empower users to discover their unique style and foster representation, MAKA aims to reintroduce trust in the African fashion and beauty industry.
Young consumers today face a shared dilemma—they crave authenticity and the freedom to set their trends
Diana Owusu Kyereko, Co-founder and CEO of MAKA
Diana Owusu Kyereko, Co-founder and CEO of MAKA, expressed the empowering nature of MAKA’s platform. She highlighted that the platform not only empowers users but also liberates them to confidently explore and make purchases from verified and trusted brands.
In her words, “Young consumers today face a shared dilemma—they crave authenticity and the freedom to set their trends, but they are influenced by real people, and they seek choice and individuality without being misled.
“Our focus remains clear, and we’re committed to providing our users with an authentic space to explore their unique style while empowering creators to showcase their content and connect with new audiences. We want to foster meaningful connections between creators and customers.”
Founded by Diana Owusu-Kyereko, who served as the ex-CEO of Jumia Ghana and ex-CCO of Jumia Kenya in 2021, MAKA is a social e-commerce platform that enables users to discover products that fit their style through live try-on hauls, reviews, and user-generated content.
The company leverages technology to empower both consumers and creators, cementing its position at the forefront of the junction between e-commerce, creative, and cultural industries across Africa.
MAKA uniquely addresses the challenges faced by content creators in monetizing their influence and the trust issues that can arise during the transaction process. Utilizing interactive videos, the platform fosters trust between users and content creators.
One noteworthy feature is the review option, allowing customers who make purchases to share their feedback through video reviews, typically lasting between 30 and 60 seconds. All reviews on MAKA are placed by verified shoppers, ensuring authenticity. This system provides valuable insights for other users, significantly influencing their buying decisions.
Since its inception, the social commerce platform has garnered over 500,000 downloads, initially engaging creators through live sessions. Notably, with the recent introduction of its user-generated content model, the startup has generated over 2,000 reviews in just two months. This highlights the growing success and impact of MAKA in fostering a vibrant and trusted community for fashion and beauty enthusiasts in Africa.
At MAKA, the startup is unwavering in its commitment to delivering the best online shopping experience for its customers. To enhance this experience, the platform has integrated video content, aiming to provide users with comprehensive details about their products. This strategic use of video not only adds depth to the product information but also aligns with MAKA’s dedication to transparency and user satisfaction. As the platform continues to evolve, this focus on enriching the online shopping journey sets MAKA apart in the realm of social e-commerce in Africa.
