My Personal Review on Kaymu
By: Sifiso Ndlovu
When it comes to online shopping, a name like Kaymu might ring a bell, especially if you're from Africa or have dabbled in e-commerce platforms in the past. Kaymu was once a go-to platform in many African countries, promising convenience, variety, and accessibility. But does it live up to the hype? Well, let me share my thoughts—raw and unfiltered—based on my experience and those of others around me.
My First Encounter with Kaymu
I first heard about Kaymu back in 2015. I remember my cousin Thando raving about how she got a nice phone case for half the price she'd seen at the local mall in Harare. Now, if you've lived in Africa long enough, you know how rare it is to find a good deal that actually feels like a win. So, out of curiosity (and honestly, a bit of FOMO), I decided to give Kaymu a try.
At first glance, the platform felt like a digital marketplace where you could find anything and everything—phones, clothes, kitchenware, even random stuff like car chargers and hair straighteners. It was like walking through a busy downtown market, except you’re scrolling instead of walking. The variety was mad impressive, and the fact that sellers could list their own products made it feel like a very localized experience. It almost felt like a blend of Jumia and OLX, but with its own vibe.
The Good Stuff
Let me start with what Kaymu did well because, to be fair, there were some things they absolutely nailed.
Variety of Products
You could find just about anything on Kaymu. From tech gadgets to home essentials, the platform catered to a wide range of tastes and budgets. For someone like me who’s always looking for affordable yet functional items, this was a major plus. I once bought a pair of sneakers there that I couldn’t even find in our local shops—turns out the seller was importing them from China.
Accessibility for Small Businesses
Kaymu gave small-scale sellers a chance to showcase their goods. Many of the sellers were everyday people trying to make a living. I remember chatting with one seller from Lagos who sold handmade jewelry. She told me how Kaymu helped her connect with customers beyond her neighborhood. That kind of empowerment? You have to respect it.
Cash-on-Delivery Option
Now, this was a game-changer. If you’ve ever been skeptical about online shopping in Africa, you’ll understand why cash-on-delivery is such a big deal. It allowed people to inspect their items before parting with their hard-earned cash. For someone like me, who doesn’t trust anyone with my money until I see the goods, this was a lifesaver.
Localized Experience
Kaymu felt African. The sellers, the pricing, even some of the product descriptions—it all felt tailored to our context. Unlike global platforms that often fail to understand the unique challenges of doing business in Africa, Kaymu felt like it was trying to bridge that gap.
The Not-So-Good Stuff
But, let’s not sugarcoat things: Kaymu had its fair share of issues, and some of them were hard to ignore.
Quality Control? What’s That?
One of the biggest problems with Kaymu was the inconsistency in product quality. I remember ordering a phone charger that looked solid in the pictures, only for it to arrive looking like something that had been fished out of a scrapyard. And I’m not alone in this. My friend Amina from Nairobi once ordered a dress, and what she got looked like it had been sewn in a hurry by someone who’d never touched fabric before.
Delivery Drama
Delivery times on Kaymu could be a nightmare. I once waited three weeks for a package that was supposed to arrive in five days. And don’t even get me started on the times when items would just get “lost” along the way. If patience isn’t your strong suit, Kaymu would’ve tested you to the max.
Customer Support Woes
Let me tell you—if you had an issue with an order, you were pretty much on your own. Reaching customer support felt like trying to draw water from a stone. Most of the time, they’d just redirect you to the seller, who might or might not respond. It was frustrating, and it made the whole experience feel unreliable.
Fake Listings
Another major issue was the prevalence of fake or misleading product listings. Some sellers would use stock images that looked nothing like the actual product. And while Kaymu claimed to have measures in place to combat this, they clearly weren’t doing enough.
Why Kaymu Didn’t Last
Now, if you’re wondering why I’m writing about Kaymu in the past tense, it’s because the platform eventually shut down in many African countries. By 2017, it had been merged into Jumia Market, and the standalone Kaymu brand ceased to exist. The reasons? Well, I can’t say for sure, but I’d guess it had a lot to do with competition, operational challenges, and the issues I’ve just mentioned.
E-commerce in Africa isn’t easy. Between unreliable logistics, payment challenges, and trust issues, it takes a lot to succeed. And while Kaymu had potential, it just didn’t seem equipped to handle the unique realities of our markets.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend Kaymu if it were still around today? Honestly, it’s a tough call. On one hand, it gave people access to products they might not have found elsewhere and empowered small businesses. On the other hand, the lack of quality control and poor customer support left a sour taste.
Kaymu was a mixed experience, but it was also a stepping stone for e-commerce in Africa. Platforms like Jumia and Konga have since filled the void, learning from Kaymu's successes and failures. So, in a way, Kaymu walked so others could run.
What about you? Did you ever shop on Kaymu or know someone who did? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop them in the comments below!