About Us
MaasaiSoko is a cultural e-commerce marketplace dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and sharing Kenya’s rich heritage with the world. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, we provide a platform where Kenyan artisans, creators, and small businesses can showcase products deeply rooted in tradition, creativity, and identity.
Our name is inspired by the Maasai Markets which are an essential part of Kenya’s cultural and shopping experience, offering a vibrant collection of handcrafted items, souvenirs, and traditional African art. The MaasaiSoko platform will serve as a global marketplace for unique African crafts, textiles, jewelry, and artwork, giving locals, tourists, and international buyers a chance to purchase directly from the artisans.
What We Do
Shopping at MaasaiSoko is not only a great way to find beautiful souvenirs but also an opportunity to support sustainable tourism. Many of the items are made from recycled or eco-friendly materials, such as glass beads, repurposed metals, and organic cotton. Buying from these markets helps promote the local economy and encourages the preservation of traditional African craftsmanship.
Our platform offers a wide range of culturally significant products, including:
Handicrafts & Art: Carvings, sculptures, beadwork, pottery, and paintings made from natural and recycled materials.
Textiles & Fashion: Kanga, Shuka, Kitenge, Kente, Ankara prints, and other unique fabrics and clothing.
Jewelry & Accessories: Handcrafted adornments that showcase Africa’s artistic diversity.
Music & Performance: Traditional instruments, attire, and accessories for dance and cultural expression.
Food & Cuisine: Locally sourced spices, teas, coffees, snacks, and authentic recipes that celebrate African flavors.
By curating these products, we promote cultural appreciation, create new market opportunities, and ensure African creativity thrives in the global economy.
How We Do It
We are leveraging the online e-commerce landscape to empower artisans and small businesses through:
Technology-Driven Marketplace: Our platform and social media pages are making it easy to showcase, buy, and sell authentic cultural products.
Fair Trade & Community Impact: We operate on ethical principles, ensuring the real artisans are fairly compensated while reinvesting in local communities through group based onboarding.
Economic Growth: By addressing economic empowerment challenges faced by cultural traders and artisans, MaasaiSoko is contributing towards sustainable economic developments by embarking on a journey of discovery, supporting local artisans and celebrating the beauty of African craftsmanship.
Our Vision
To be the leading platform that celebrates African culture globally, empowering artisans, connecting communities, and preserving heritage for generations to come.
Our Mission
To create opportunities for African cultural entrepreneurs while offering buyers worldwide a chance to experience authentic, meaningful, and high-quality African products.
Fun Fact on Historical origins of Maasai Market
The market's origins trace back to the barter trade years of the 1980s, when the market emerged as a place for various cultures to converge. The name is derived from the Maasai people, a prominent and culturally significant ethnic group in East Africa, and inspired by their recognizable cultural heritage and their association with the sale of these traditional African artifacts such as the famous Maasai beadwork and blankets (shukas).
Therefore, while it's not exclusively a Maasai market, the name reflects the strong cultural presence and artistic contributions of the Maasai people to the market's offerings and identity while also featuring crafts from various Kenyan communities.