UK Based Entrepreneur To Launch Global Marketplace For African Creators

A new digital marketplace is preparing to reshape the way the world discovers and buys African creativity.

Sokofa, founded by UK based entrepreneur Tope Abuloye, is nearing launch with a bold mission: connect African artisans, designers, and producers directly with global buyers through technology driven storytelling and simplified international trade.

Abuloye, who holds degrees in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland and Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, explains that Sokofa was built from a deep belief that African creators deserve better access to global value.

Before this venture, he co-founded BuyAvrika LLC, a digital platform that promoted African craftsmanship and introduced new audiences to African art and culture. Sokofa now expands this impact to a full range of African made products including fashion, homeware, natural beauty products, and visual art.
“We want to give African creators the visibility, tools, and fair opportunities they deserve,” Abuloye said.

“Sokofa is not just a shop. It is a storytelling space where millions of people can engage with culture and creativity in a genuine way.”
One of Sokofa’s standout innovations is the Online Tailor feature.

Buyers can submit their measurements directly to tailors for custom made outfits, offering a seamless digital solution for African fashion lovers worldwide. The platform also includes a Verified Seller Program, secure payment integrations that support African financial systems, and automatic logistics processing for global shipping. These tools were developed to address long standing challenges faced by African entrepreneurs such as restricted payouts, high listing fees, and limited export support on mainstream e-commerce platforms.
Sokofa has already begun onboarding sellers across multiple African countries in preparation for launch.

Vendors have praised its culturally authentic approach and user friendly dashboard which allows them to showcase products along with the stories and traditions behind them. This combination of commerce and culture is central to Sokofa’s identity.

Abuloye believes consumers are shifting toward more meaningful purchasing choices. “People want to buy meaning, not just products,” he said. “Every item has a story, a face, and a heritage behind it. Sokofa connects people with the hands and heart behind what they buy.”

Sokofa will operate globally from day one. Shipments will go directly from creators to customers worldwide, powered by strategic logistics partnerships.

The goal is clear: build the world’s most trusted marketplace for African creativity and redefine how African craftsmanship is valued in the global economy.

As launch approaches, Sokofa is positioning itself as part of a new wave of digital trade that empowers African entrepreneurs, elevates cultural pride, and brings diverse creative expression to the center of global commerce.