![[Startup Interview] Reuben Abuloye, CEO, Buyavrika, Nigeria](Images/Key Persons/Reuben Abuloye-buyavrika.jpg)
[Startup Interview] Reuben Abuloye, CEO, Buyavrika, Nigeria
Reuben Abuloye is the CEO of Buyavrika, a Nigeria-based startup that provides an online market place for African Art and African inspired wear.
Tell us a bit about Buyavrika
Buyavrika is an online market place for African Art and African inspired wear, (a secured online platform where sellers and buyers of African Art and wears can met to trade). it came into existence in 2016 in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria. I am the co-founder and currently the chief executive officer at Buyavrika.
Why was it formed and to what extent has it achieved its purpose?
Buyavrika was formed to promote the beautiful African culture to the world through African Art and African inspired wears. We have so many artist that make beautiful African Art but have problem with getting a platform to market and showcase there works. So Buyavrika was formed to create a secure platform where artist and buyers of art and African wears can meet to transact.
We have been able to gain trust from international community to trade on our platform as a secure platform.
As an online marketplace for African art, what would you say have been the emerging issues and trends in the recent past?
So many artist have been unable to get trust from outside the country, this is due to the high rate of internet crimes and scams. And also the issue of payment as been a great barrier in international transactions not to talk of logistics issues.
How big is your reach?
We work with logistics companies for both local and international pickups and delivery like FedEx, UPS and NIPOST.
What is Buyavrika bringing to online trading of African art that isn’t present at the moment?
This is the first of its kind in Africa for African art(a total online market place where artist can own there store at no cost)
What do you consider the biggest threat to your business?
I must say without thinking twice that the high rate of cyber fraud in Africa is alarming. And believe the government are trying to curb this but I believe we need to try harder.
What kind of collaborations do you expect and need for Buyavrika to succeed?
A collaboration and endorsement from the Ministry of Art and culture, African Union and also the African development bank will go a long way. As this are institutions that can rely on for the promotion of art and culture in Africa. As they say “no one can tell your story better than you” and what other way can we do this, but with art and wears.
Where are your plans moving forward?
We plan of having exhibitions in the major cities in African, where artists can showcase there works and in the not too long future have this works showcase in the United State and United Kingdom.
What is the latest news from Buyavrika?
We are working on callaborating with selected primary and secondary schools in the development of art in schools children
Who should contact your company, and why?
Buyavrika is for all, be you an Artist or a lover of art, young or old, African or non African. As long as you love art and the beautiful culture of Africa.
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Africa Business Communities is conducting a series of interviews with startup businesses in Africa.
Are you a startup in Africa and interested in an interview? Great! Send an e-mail to bas@africabusinesscommunities.com
