There is often a challenge in Africa for small to medium sized producers, particularly in the agricultural sector, finding access to markets, and in turn consumers finding access to greater choice in the marketplace. One Mozambican entrepreneur, Anila Mussá, and her business IZYSHOP, is trying to do something to solve this problem in her country.
LoA found out more about this empowering business concept for Mozambique’s small to medium sized producers.
What does your company do?
Izyshop is Mozambique's multi-award winning online supermarket, connecting local small and medium size producers to consumer markets, giving producers access to a broader market and income increase, and consumers a more convenient shopping experience.
"Izyshop is Mozambique's multi-award winning online supermarket, connecting local small and medium size producers to consumer markets."
What inspired you to start your company?
Being young and feeling that we have the capacity to create new things, new ideas, new businesses, and new solutions to the great problems that we have in our Country and in the world. We came into this world in order to become better and with that to improve also the environment that we live in.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
More than 300M small and medium sized farmers across Africa rely on agriculture to survive, but due to their small size have no access to traditional retail and are forced to live on less than 20USD per month. We connect them to consumers seeking a more convenient shopping experience and help them increase their income. On the other side, customers are offered very little value when shopping for groceries, having to choose from the crowded supermarkets to the unorganized street markets. Through our platform they have access to a more convenient service with same-day home delivery.
"More than 300M small and medium sized farmers across Africa rely on agriculture to survive, but due to their small size have no access to traditional retail and are forced to live on less than 20USD per month."
Tell us a little about your team
We have a team of talented young people, dynamic, dreamers, who always seek solutions, improvement, creativity and innovation to solve the problems of everyday life. Our team is composed of 10 members, in which we have the answers of each sector:
Titos Munhequete CEO, MBA Engineer with + 8 years experience in management across multinational companies and multiple industries
Anila Mussá COO, entrepreneur and Agricultural engineer with + 6 years experience in business and entrepreneurship
Aquilino Jone CTO, systems analyst and programmer with +7 years experience in software development.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Born in a small city in Mozambique (Inhambane), I learned very early on to get things done with a lot of work. The first business I did was when I was 12 years old was selling cookies at school so I could buy my school lunch - I then sold oranges and popcorn, thus combining school with business. After finishing primary and secondary education, and because of a lack of a university in my city, I had to move to the Capital of the Country (Maputo), where I continued with my studies in the area of Agriculture. But as my entrepreneurial vein was still active, I created `Havanilas ', an internet business specializing in beachwear and personalized slippers in 2009. Being a seasonal business, it meant I had to look for other alternatives, and in 2012 I became part of the implementation in Mozambique of an international network marketing operation - Network 21, responsible for distributing products from the Amway chain. In 2014, together with my partner, we had the idea to create a platform that links local producers to consumers with home delivery. Today, I am the Co-Founder and COO of Izyshop which has been in operation since 2015.
VIDEO: Watch how Izyshop connects local producers and small organic farmers to consumer markets
"Our vision is to help 100 million small farmers move above the poverty line by 2020! We will achieve this by expanding Izyshop countrywide and internationally so we can service more clients and help to end poverty in Africa!"
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To help 100 million small farmers move above the poverty line by 2020! We will achieve this by expanding Izyshop countrywide and internationally so we can service more clients and help to end poverty in Africa!
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To be able to help people have a better life with sustainable solutions. Every time I hear a client mention that they have more time for the family, or a producer being able to send their children to university because they are earning more by working with us, I feel a profound sense of purpose.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Plan, prepare a small business plan (write your idea on paper, how you want to run the business, how much you will sell, who your audience is, etc.) and execute your plan. Do not overthink things, and do not be afraid of failure. Only the day-to-day operation of the business will tell you the needs, the problems, the positive aspects, etc. And with focus and persistence, it is possible to overcome or circumvent any obstacles.
Contact or follow Izyshop
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | EMAIL aumussa@izyshop.co.mz
Why LoA loves it….
There is nothing quite as inspirational as seeing Africa’s women entrepreneurs tackling some of the most pressing challenges that are holding the continent back economically. In Mozambique, entrepreneur Anila Mussá is playing a proactive role in helping the country’s small farmers to get greater access to markets, and as a result, increasing the socio-economic prospects of families and communities. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa