THE light bulbs of inspiration that get turned on in the minds of innovative entrepreneurs are often activated by the frustrating experiences they have with existing (tech-driven) answers to challenges they deal with, or the absence of such solutions. And when Omolara Ogomudia set out to launch Aniwura.com, she was driven by what she saw as gaping holes in the process of sourcing, approving and shipping supplies and services in Nigeria. Now, her decision to plug that gap has led to the emergence of the country’s first multi-dimensional online business platform.
Like other online marketplaces, Aniwura creates an avenue for buyers and sellers to carry out transactions. But more than this, it gives buyers a wider range of sourcing options to choose from, by opening up the global front to them- products needed by individual customers or businesses can be obtained from markets in China, the United Kingdom, India and the UAE, through Aniwura’s international sourcing service. There is also a special feature on the site- the G2B/G2E platform- which opens up a vital communication channel between government and businesses; this service enables the later party to access information on government regulation, taxes and procedures related to their sector which is often hard to get hold of.
The whole system is built upon the promise of an efficient interface between transacting parties. Buyers looking to purchase via the platform provide product specifications by posting them on aniwura.com. Upon receiving the request from potential buyers, relevant suppliers are invited to submit their quotations for the product. The best of the quotations (a maximum of 10) are sent back to the buyers along with the contact details of their suppliers. The buyers are then able to make the decision on which of the sellers to engage and buy from.
Apart from the wider reach Aniwura makes possible for businesses, it also avails members of the opportunity to network through its unique messaging system that lets them connect by using audio and video conferencing.
Aniwura is a good example of how innovation can set businesses and consumers free from the uncertainties (caused by doubts about what regulators demand or how to procure and ship products from beyond Nigeria), thus letting them have the space to thrive and live up to their full potentials.
You might also like:
- How To Grow Your E-mail List
- The Role Of Corporate Identity In Branding
- Nigerians in History: Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe
- Did You Know? Alhassan Dantata, Nigeria’s Kolanut Millionaire
