By Juliet Umeh

New e-commerce platform, 2Clicks, has entered the Nigerian market with a promise to make online selling more accessible through free product listings, artificial intelligence-powered product discovery and enhanced identity verification aimed at boosting trust in digital commerce.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos, Country Manager of 2Clicks, Bakare Olaoluwa, said the platform was developed to address longstanding challenges faced by buyers and sellers in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding e-commerce ecosystem.

According to him, 2Clicks allows individuals and businesses to list unlimited products free of charge, while generating revenue through optional premium services that give merchants greater visibility.

“Our philosophy is to significantly improve the way Nigerians buy and sell online. Anyone can join our marketplace and list as many products as they want for free, whether they are a professional retailer, a university student running a small business or someone who simply wants to sell an item they no longer need,” Olaoluwa said.

He added: “We want to democratise the way people sell online by creating a platform that delivers better value, a better user experience and gives everyone an opportunity to participate in the digital economy without unnecessary barriers.”

Explaining the business model, Olaoluwa said sellers seeking greater visibility can subscribe to premium packages that rank their products higher in search results, while those who choose not to subscribe can continue using the platform free of charge.

“If you want additional exposure, you can pay for premium services. But if you don’t, your store remains active. You can continue listing your products without worrying that your online store will disappear because you missed a subscription payment,” he said.

The company also unveiled AI-powered personalised recommendations, advanced search capabilities and image enhancement technology to improve product discovery and shopping experience.

“Our algorithm learns users’ preferences and recommends products that match their interests. That makes it easier for buyers to find what they need while helping sellers reach customers who are more likely to buy,” he said.

On security, Olaoluwa said every seller must complete identity verification using either the National Identification Number, NIN, or Bank Verification Number, BVN, while those seeking a “Verified Seller” badge must undergo facial video verification and submit a government-issued identification document.

“We have introduced fintech-level Know Your Customer processes because trust is critical in e-commerce. These measures help us verify sellers’ identities and improve confidence on the platform,” he said.

He disclosed that 2Clicks has recorded over 100,000 downloads and more than 150,000 product listings within about two months of launch.

“We deliberately onboarded sellers before marketing to buyers because we wanted people to find enough products once they joined the platform. We are growing by thousands of new users every day, and our ambition is to build Nigeria’s largest online marketplace,” Olaoluwa added.

He noted that the platform connects buyers directly with sellers, allowing users to search for products by location while encouraging inspection of goods before payment where applicable.