Kariba’s business community has received a digital boost with the launch of Kariba Marketplace, a mobile application designed to streamline marketing, sales, and customer communication within the resort town and surrounding communities.
The platform, created by Kariba-born software developer Hector Chikomba, aims to simplify how residents buy, sell, advertise services, rent property, and search for jobs by bringing everything into one digital space.
For years, many locals relied on word-of-mouth referrals, scattered Facebook posts, and physical noticeboards to find services or sell products. Chikomba said he developed the app after witnessing these daily challenges firsthand.
A former student of Nyanhewe Primary School and Nyamhunga High School, the 40-year-old developer said the platform was built with one clear objective: making it easier for people in Kariba to do business with each other.
“I grew up here, so I know how hard it is to find a plumber or sell a fridge quickly in Kariba. This app puts everyone in one place,” said Chikomba.
The app centralises listings for businesses, services, rentals, jobs, and second-hand goods, eliminating the need for users to move between multiple social media groups and platforms.
One of its standout features is an integrated in-app messaging system that allows buyers and sellers to communicate directly, negotiate prices, and arrange deals without relying on external messaging applications.
Chikomba said the focus on speed and simplicity was intentional.
“We made it so a vendor can post a listing in under two minutes. If it’s not fast and easy, people won’t use it,” he said.
To cater for different users, the platform has been divided into two separate applications — the Seller App and the User App.
The Seller App is designed for businesses, landlords, vendors, and service providers.
It allows sellers to upload products and services, manage orders, track sales performance, and respond to customer enquiries in real time. Chikomba described it as a lightweight digital shopfront for small businesses and side hustles operating in Kariba.
The User App, on the other hand, is tailored for customers looking to browse products and services, search for rentals, place orders, and make payments.
“You don’t need a website or a huge marketing budget. If you have a phone, you can start selling to people in Kariba today,” Chikomba said.
He added that the localised nature of the platform makes it easier for users to find relevant listings without sifting through unrelated adverts from Harare, Bulawayo, or outside Zimbabwe.
The app is now available on the Google Play Store under Kariba Marketplace and can also be downloaded through the official website.
Chikomba believes the platform could play a role in strengthening the local economy by keeping trade and opportunities within the community.
“When you buy from someone in Kariba, the money stays in Kariba. That’s how we grow our own economy,” he said.
For Kariba’s vendors, freelancers, landlords, and everyday shoppers, the platform offers a practical and direct way to connect, trade, and advertise locally.
Through Kariba Marketplace, Chikomba has created a homegrown digital solution that reflects the town’s business culture — local, accessible, and community-driven.