More than 400 traders in Isiolo County are set to access new customers, thanks to a groundbreaking e-commerce platform, esiolo, made possible through the EU Funded Project – âBuilding Drought Resilience in Isiolo County through Sustainable Livelihoods (DRIC).  The platform is being rolled out byE4Impact Foundation, one of the consortium partners implementing the project whose goal is to contribute toward increased resilience to droughts and another negative impact of climate change for vulnerable groups and to improve the nutrition status of children under 5 years in Isiolo County
Esiolo.com – the e-commerce platform will help expand the traderâs market reach beyond walk-in clientele, hence increasing purchases of locally produced products from Isiolo County. On the Marketplace, the traders will have tailor-made e-commerce shops, where buyers can search and shop for a wide range of products from Isiolo County.
âWe are very happy to launch the Isiolo Digital Platform; indeed, this is a great achievement for our entrepreneurs in Isiolo. Not only will they expand their market access locally, but this platform will introduce to the world the very best of Isiolo. To the EU, thank you for your support to the people of Kenya. To our local entrepreneurs, I urge you now to focus on improving your products to be competitive in order to attract and retain new customersâ CS Ministry of Devolution, Prof Margaret Kobia.
âWe acknowledge that digital marketing is one of the major enablers of economic recovery, especially after the effects of the Covid -19 Pandemic. The EU recognizes the importance of ensuring ease of trade. Through this programme, traders in Isiolo County can conduct their businesses online and get access to customers to whom they can sell their products in a seamless manner. We are proud to support these businesses as this means great opportunities, especially for youth and women, ultimately improving their livelihoods.â The Ambassador of the European Union to Kenya, H.E Mrs. Henriette Geiger.
âWe are grateful to the European Union for the support accorded to this county and are excited about the light that this e-commerce platform is going to bring to our county. The traders here face numerous challenges including competition from established entrepreneurs, products going bad, and lack of access to financing, and we are positive that this platform will help in addressing these challenges.â Lt. Col (RTD) Hared Hassan Adan, CEO, National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).
 âThe Covid-19 pandemic has catalyzed changes in how people purchase and consume goods and services. E-commerce has proven to be essential for its convenience and ability to serve a larger customer base. Therefore, this platform will ensure a streamlined online order placement, secured payments, and efficient delivery process where a network of riders and delivery partners have been identified to deliver orders affordably within 24-48 hours within Isiolo County and countrywide complete with buyer protection policy. The platform presents an opportunity for youth employment through access to markets for youth groups to showcase and sell their products. â Dr. Mohammed Kuti, Governor, Isiolo County
Emphasizing the importance of the platform to the county, Dr. Davis Ikiror, The Country Director VSF-Suisse, Lead Agency DRIC Consortium, says âThis platform will improve accessibility to products from Isiolo County as well as raise its profile. Improved trade through the platform will enhance the living standards of the residents and help the county grow and create sustainability, and for this, we are very grateful to the European Union.â
