Tanzanian startup for image-sharing Windowshoppi aims to increase local commerce

Windowshoppi, a Tanzanian startup that allows users to post photos, add locations, and recommend products, is hoping to boost local commerce with new product releases in the new year.

Windowshoppi is a product discovery app that will be released in September 2020. Users can upload photos, include links and locations in their posts, and recommend products they like from local businesses. These companies can also open their own accounts.

Amri Idrisa, who co-founded Windowshoppi with Daniel Lyatuu, describes the app as a hybrid of Instagram and Pinterest.

“Windowshoppi is an image-sharing app that allows users to discover lifestyle inspiration, share images, and make recommendations of products they like, businesses nearby, and places to visit,” he says.

“Users can include a location and a link in their post.” The app includes an in-app browser, allowing users to open links without leaving the app.”

However, image-sharing is only the beginning of Windowshoppi’s grand plan, with a social shopping platform also recently launched. According to Idrisa, online retail in Africa has shifted in recent years from a more traditional e-commerce model to one that is more focused on social commerce.

“So far, the take-up has been positive, and the feedback we’ve received from our users has been fantastic.” That is what keeps us working on developing the best product for them,” he explained.

Windowshoppi, which is currently bootstrapped, has secured all of its uptake thus far through social media and word of mouth. The startup intends to monetize its platform by selling advertisements and taking a commission on each product sold through it.