It doesn't have to be painful!

1 | 23 May 2023

''2015 photo: Vulcain Yengo with US Ambassador Stephanie S. -- Congratulated as a promising entrepreneur in Congo''

Growing Up!

Growing up! I remember my first visit to the Total Market, a famous market in Brazzaville. I was trapped in the narrow wooden aisle amidst clothes, and I still recall the high-pitched voices of the brave vendors repeating incessantly: "KOTA PONA, KOTA PONA..." Their faces were full of sweat, their moving bodies engaged in hand and foot gestures, and some even danced... Their energetic voices resembled those of true Congolese supporters celebrating the victory of the Red Devils in Yaoundé '72. As a child, I was able to sense the intense effort and fatigue of these courageous vendors. In fact, my mother was one of them, so I have great respect for them.

Enchanted and astonished, I timidly asked my mother, so as not to be overheard by the vendors: "Why do they keep saying 'KOTA PONA' all the time?" "Well," replied my mother, "it's a good way for them to attract customers and inform them that they have various items to offer. Choice is important for the customer." My mother had just taught me an important lesson about the significance of choice for customers. However, deep inside, I continued to ponder... I thought about the brave vendors and particularly three things: their high-pitched voices, their gaze that seemed to seek indulgence from potential buyers, and their bodily movements. I wished there was a less demanding and less exhausting way to sell and make money. "It doesn't have to be painful at all," I said to myself... But what can be done to make selling less arduous? Please bear with me if I tell you that I didn't have the answer at that time... After all, I was still just a child.

Upon returning home that day, I asked my mother again how one becomes a good seller who makes "fric" (money) in the Total Market. The ensuing explanation disturbed me even more. "How burdensome it is!" I exclaimed. Only my true Congolese spirit, standing proudly everywhere, prevented me from bursting into tears. You are probably wondering what my mother told me. Here is what she said: "My son, many vendors, especially women selling perishable products, wake up very early in the morning, around 4:00 AM, to go and buy merchandise that they later resell at the Total Market. They remain standing for long hours, shouting all day, and return home around 4:00 PM to take care of their families. The cycle continues because they don't always earn enough money for themselves and their families."

The phrase "it doesn't have to be painful at all" continued to resonate in my mind for years. Finally, during the COVID-19 lockdown, my partner, Le King, and I were unable to buy anything for our families. Food items and clothes had become inaccessible. All businesses and shops were closed except for a few public markets that opened according to a strict schedule. So, Le King and I decided to do something to make selling less burdensome for vendors while also making it accessible to a larger number of people without undermining the local shopping experience. We had finally found an answer to the question I had asked myself during my first visit to the Total Market with my mother.

Cowema is Born!

That's how we created Cowema, whose vision is to create reliable, interactive, secure, and easy to use online platforms where individuals, families, and businesses can go to search, buy, or sell any type of new or used items in a new and local experience. Cowema stands for "Facilitating Inclusive Selling and Fulfilling."

Download and test the App at https://www.bit.ly/cowemaapp

The Cowema application was created with the aim of making sales easier for vendors and making purchases more accessible for buyers. With Cowema, vendors can sell their products online without having to shout or physically move to the markets. This saves them time, energy, and money. For buyers, Cowema offers a wide selection of products at affordable prices, with the option of home delivery, guaranteed security, and a pleasant experience. We understand that some people wish to avoid uncomfortable encounters with strangers during the exchange of money for items being sold. That's why Cowema and its delivery partners take care of home delivery, with delivery fees paid by the buyers for those who choose home delivery. This allows vendors to focus on selling their products without worrying about shipping and delivery. For vendors in the market, Cowema represents an excellent opportunity to reach new customers across Congo without geographical limits. They can increase their sales, gain exposure to a broader audience, and even create their own online stores through Cowema.

It's new, it's local, it's complete, it's RISE!

But Cowema is more than just an online selling platform. We are a team of young Congolese entrepreneurs who understand the real needs of Congolese people and Africa in general. We have digitized the online buying and selling experience while preserving the essence of "KOTA PONA" (local commerce) and other traditional approaches. This is what makes Cowema unique and different from other solutions. Now, selling and buying no longer have to be burdensome at all. Cowema is the solution.

It’s local and Authentic: Designed and developed by locals for locals, our app seamlessly integrates with the local buying and selling experience. Users can enjoy advanced chat features for negotiating prices, as well as engage in actions like liking, sharing, and buying products.
It’s Comprehensive Solution: Cowema offers an end-to-end solution, covering every aspect of the buying and selling process, including listing items, secure payments, and reliable delivery. Users can even arrange in-person meetings for cash and item exchanges.
It’s RISE: Our app embodies the values of Reliability, Interactivity, Security, and Ease of use, ensuring a seamless and trustworthy experience for all users.
In-House Expertise: Our skilled team has developed the app entirely in-house, guaranteeing a high-quality product that meets the unique needs of our users.

What is possible on Cowema!

| Sellers | ·

List new or used items for sale, list services
List an advertisement
Accept payment via Mobile Money or cash
Share items or ads on other networks
Follow other users
Promote or boost items or ads
Host events: KOTA PONA and others
Invite friends
Use the Cowema wallet for payment
Manage items and ads, earnings and withdrawals, etc.

| Buyers |

Purchase items in the App or meet in person to close the deal
Negotiate price interactively via Cowema's interactive chat
Pay via Mobile Money or cash on delivery
Like, comment, share
Follow sellers or other users
Search for items or sellers

With Cowema, we aim to revolutionize the way people buy and sell in Congo and Africa, providing opportunities for vendors, convenience for buyers, and a thriving online marketplace for all.

Vulcain M. Yengo, Co-founder & CEO

https://www.bit.ly/cowemaapp