I have lost count of the number of eCommerce startups that have emerged over the past 3 years. This is a refreshing thing, something that I have always advocated for. We now live in a digital world and as such we need, as a nation, to not trail behind. Ecommerce has become the norm and virtually everyone is actively involved in it in many nations. Inevitably we are going to continue seeing more eCommerce startups coming up in Zimbabwe. A noteworthy mention of a recent example of such eCommerce startups is Kuva Local.
Who Is Kuva Local?
Kuva Local is a Zimbabwean eCommerce startup that provides a platform for locals to sell their products or services.
Unique Features Of Kuva Local
They provide delivery services where applicable for the convenience of their customers. For much shorter localized deliveries they have a partnership with Asambe. I am referring to delivery distances and package weights of less than 20 kilometres and 40 kilograms respectively. Asambe is a startup that specializes in the provision of transport and logistics services using electric-powered vehicles. Asambe gets to do such deliveries by use of electric bicycles. The startup is also in partnership with other brands such as FedEx, Munch Zimbabwe, and Baines Pharmacies.
Kuva Local of course does provide long-distance (e.g. city to city) deliveries as well. They plan to eventually transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in doing such deliveries. Kuva Local streamlines the relationship between Zimbabweans in the diaspora and their loved ones back here. Someone in the diaspora can purchase products on the platform for their loved ones here. Kuva Local then facilitates the delivery of those products to the respective recipient. This offers convenience to the customers, recipients, and the government (i.e. remittances).
Kuva Local Is Big On Environmental Sustainability
One of the unique value propositions Kuva Local comes with is an active consciousness of Environmental Social Governance (ESG). This is evident in how they ensure all products sold on or through their platform are locally sourced or produced. This is in pursuit of keeping their carbon footprint as low as possible. You probably noticed how they use electric bicycles for some of their deliveries. This is all meant to ensure no harmful effects occur to the environment.
Last year they came up with an ingenious way to pursue this further. One of the key priorities in ESG is afforestation and reforestation. Businesses have usually turned out to be the biggest culprits in environmental degradation. Thus businesses are now largely implored to play their part in environmental sustainability. Kuva Local decided to do their part in the planting of trees. How exactly did they do it?
They incorporated the cost of planting a tree into certain purchases. For example, when one purchases sparkling wine or beer via the platform, the price includes that cost. Thus when you purchase any of those you are in principle, planting a tree. This is the whole initiative Kuva Local is rolling out in partnership with My Trees Trust Zimbabwe. The vision is to plant trees across Zimbabwe – particularly indigenous ones.
It is impressive what Kuva Local is doing and how it is doing it. Many Zimbabwean businesses and startups are still blinded to the negative implications of their operations on the environment. The Kuva Local example is something they must emulate. You can check out their web app here; they also have a mobile app that you can download from the app stores.
