How outrageously expensive imported items can be in Kenya.
From Jiji
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From AliExpress
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This huge price difference is as a result of China having an unfair competitive advantage.
The Kenyan trader needs to unionize/organize into purchasing groups, travel to china and mass inport products in order to sell items at a subsidized price.
Think about Eastleigh. Almost every shop sells the same product.
The Chinese on the other hand own the ENTIRE chain of production.
The materials (cheaply sourced from highly indebted developing world nations)
The factories and an abundance of cheap labor.
Low interest Bank loans from their state own financial institutions.
Internet technology, AI and ML to be able to study the buying habits and sell those exact products.
The transport infrastructure from Shanghai to Mombasa, through the SGR & Airport.
Cheap shipping that's subsidized by the USPS (United States Postal Service), a deal they were able to secure given they registered as developing country.
The local politicians and chieftains.
And now, a physical brick and mortar mall to sell directly to the customers. These malls are neat, clean, Air conditioned.
Unlike those shacks we call a market.