Engineer Builds E-commerce Platform to Mend Ethiopian Construction Industry

A year-old startup is entering the bustling construction sector with an e-commerce platform that aims to resolve systemic problems in the procurement and sale of construction materials and inputs. Founded by Kidist Nigiru, an engineer, “Mismar” (which roughly translates to “nails” in the Amharic language) sells everything from nails to ceramics.

The platform, which was launched just three months ago, offers a simple visual interface that allows prospective buyers to connect with registered vendors. It also provides a comprehensive data set on the costs of construction materials.

“We already have around 390 products available from around 40 registered suppliers,” said Kidist.

The CEO hopes to relieve the unnecessary hassles faced by participants in the construction industry through a straightforward transaction tool. “What used to take weeks can be completed instantly,” she added.

A graduate of Behiang University, one of the top public universities in Beijing, China, Kidist targets mass adoption of the service by procurement personnel in both the private and public sectors in the long run. She referred to the secure access to information for prospective buyers as an instrumental element in establishing Mismar as a key industry player.

Construction inputs like steel and cement have been frequently subjected to drastic fluctuations in prices due to a combination of factors. The Ministry of Trade & Regional Integration (MoTRI) has stepped in on multiple occasions over the past few years to soothe the market including a cement marketing and distribution directive in 2022. Moreover, the sector is filled with middlemen and brokers, who often add their margins when facilitating transactions.

Mismar’s CEO is convinced that the live price dashboard available on the website will help alleviate some of the market distortions that occur due to the lack of available market information. She says a constantly updated price list in addition to a delivery service that gets the products into client’s hands in no more than two hours, warrants a market-reflective product portfolio.

The CEO also noted that each vendor registered by the service will be required to have a legal certification to ensure quality standards in addition to onsite visits by Mismar personnel.

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While substandard products remain an issue in most products in Ethiopia, the rise in contraband trade also presents a particular challenge in the construction industry. Kidist recognized a deep-rooted need to incorporate technology into Ethiopia’s construction industry after working for half a decade post-graduation.

Nonetheless, Mismar’s offerings are not limited to construction inputs as the developers have come up with a way to link artisanal workers with contractors.

Payments for any of the services provided under the Mismar platform can be made through Telebirr. Kidist also disclosed that the company will soon integrate other payment options while being a few weeks short of its mobile application set to be availed for Android and IOS.