About us
SOKOFA is a UK-based online marketplace that connects African creators with customers around the world. From handmade fashion and dry food staples to unique art pieces and natural beauty products, our platform brings the richness of Africa directly to your doorstep.
At the heart of SOKOFA is a clear purpose. African businesses deserve fair opportunities to grow, and people everywhere should have easy access to authentic African goods.
We are proud to be registered in the UK as SOKOFA LTD, founded by African entrepreneurs who understand both the local challenges and the global potential. Our goal is to create a trusted space where culture, business and community come together.
Our mission is to give African businesses and producers the tools, platform and visibility they need to grow. At the same time, we provide buyers with access to authentic, affordable and ethically sourced African products.
For too long, many African producers have struggled to compete internationally because large platforms often create barriers that make it difficult for African sellers to participate. On top of that, traditional supply chains add extra costs that affect both the seller and the buyer.
SOKOFA is built to change that.
We connect buyers directly with sellers. There are no middlemen and no hidden costs. This means sellers keep more of their earnings, and buyers pay less. In many cases, our prices are lower than what you would find in shops.
The Sokofa Story
Sokofa was born from a simple dream, to bring the richness of Africa’s creativity and craftsmanship to the world in a way that is both honest and beautiful.
The idea first took shape in the heart of Tope Abuloye, an entrepreneur whose passion for business and African culture has always run deep. After starting BuyAvrika, a platform that focused on African art, Tope saw firsthand how much untapped talent and potential lived across the continent. But he also saw how many barriers African creators faced in reaching global buyers. That experience planted a seed that would later grow into something much larger.
As life took Tope to Edinburgh for further studies in marketing and entrepreneurship, his vision only became clearer. Being away from home brought a new appreciation for the textures, colors, stories, and soul of Africa. He wanted people everywhere to feel that same pride and connection, and to make it easy for the world to shop from Africa, not just for Africa.
Around this time, Godwin Aluko, a trusted friend and equally driven entrepreneur, joined as co-founder. Godwin brought with him not only business expertise but also a heart for community, growth, and the power of small businesses to change lives. Together, they began shaping Sokofa into more than just an idea. It became a shared mission.
Sokofa is their answer to a gap they both felt deeply. It is an online marketplace where artisans, designers, farmers, and small businesses across Africa can sell their products directly to customers around the globe. From handcrafted fashion and unique beauty products to rich pantry staples and soulful art pieces, Sokofa is designed to tell stories. Stories of heritage, hard work, and hope.
What makes Sokofa truly special is that it is about so much more than commerce. It is about connection. It is about giving African creators a fair platform to thrive on their own terms, supported with training, marketing, and ethical trade standards. It is also about giving buyers everywhere the chance to experience the best of Africa right from their homes.
Sokofa stands on the belief that business can be meaningful. That buying should be about people as much as products. And that culture, when shared with respect and authenticity, can build bridges across oceans.
This is just the beginning of the Sokofa story. It is a journey guided by purpose, friendship, and the shared vision of two founders who believe Africa’s brilliance deserves a bigger stage. They are excited to invite you along, whether as a buyer, a seller, or simply someone who loves seeing what happens when heritage meets opportunity.
Welcome to Sokofa, Discover Africa Through Every Product.