Dawit BekeleDawit BekeleManaging Director

EthioLinkEthioLink

 

On-line gift delivery service

Gift items: flowers, cakes, sheep, etc.

Customers: mainly Ethiopians in the diaspora (over 1 million)

Operational for almost three years

What is EthioGift.com?What is EthioGift.com?

Very poor Internet Infrastructure in the country

Almost no electronic payment method

Very little awareness about E-commerce

Inadequate national laws with regards to international trade

Lack of funding

ChallengesChallenges

Use of ICT and Banking Infrastructure in developed countries:

Web site in CanadaWeb site in Canada Bank in Maryland Bank in Maryland

    Credit Card Verification Company inCredit Card Verification Company in California California

    Company registered in the USCompany registered in the US

Use of agents all over the world to access potential customers that do not use Internet

Some Solutions devised by Some Solutions devised by EthioGiftEthioGift

EthioGift was a big success for EthioLink, the mother EthioGift was a big success for EthioLink, the mother company. The main reason for its success is because it company. The main reason for its success is because it provided a solution for a problem, using current technology provided a solution for a problem, using current technology that it has adapted to local conditionsthat it has adapted to local conditions

EthioLink plans to widen its span of activity to the following areas:

Teleservices: the disappearance of the distance barrier makes developing countries more competitive in some area. Ethiolink has already started off-shore translation service.

E-mall: an electronic mall that provides all necessary services for companies that want to go on line.

Future Plan

   E-commerce is not a luxury: it costs less for the customers to use EthioGift than using the tradition system

  EthioGift is an example that shows that E-commerce can be a reality even in LDC provided that innovative solutions are used

  Not all businesses can get the expertise to develop E-commerce sites. IT Companies that help other companies to go on-line should be encouraged (E-mall).

Lesson learnt from EthioGift