Last Updated on August, 24, 2025
Welcome to Sokoni Africa. This Terms & Conditions explain the rights and obligations of everyone who uses our mobile application and services in Tanzania. By downloading, registering, listing, buying, selling, messaging or otherwise you agree to these Terms & Conditions. (“Terms”). These Terms form a legally binding agreement governed by Tanzanian law. In particular, electronic contracts in Tanzania (such as these Terms) are recognized as valid under the Electronic Transactions Act 2015, and Tanzanian law grants consumers certain rights (for example, a statutory cooling-off period for online purchases). If you do not agree to any part of these Terms, you must not register or use the Sokoni Africa marketplace.
1. Definitions
“Market place” or “Sokoni Africa” refers to the Sokoni Africa mobile and web application and related services provided by our company.
“User” means any person or entity that registers for or uses the Market place. This includes “Customers” (who browse and buy products) and “Vendors” (who register to sell products).
“Vendor” means a registered seller on Sokoni Africa, whether an individual or a business, authorized to list and sell products to users.
“Products” or “Goods” means any items or services offered for sale on the Market place by Vendors or users.
“Subscription Fee” and “Commission” refer to the charges Vendors pay to Sokoni Africa (see Section 5).
“Personal Data” means any information related to an identifiable person, as defined under the Tanzanian Personal Data Protection Act 2022
2. Account Registration
Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of Tanzania to register. Businesses must be duly registered under Tanzanian law. We may require proof of identity or business registration.
Vendor Registration: To sell on Sokoni Africa, you must register as a Vendor and provide accurate personal or business information (name, address, email, phone, and any required identification documents). By registering, you certify that all information is truthful and up-to-date. Vendors are responsible for any activity under their account. We reserve the right to approve or reject any Vendor registration.
Customer Registration: Customers must also register and provide personal details (name, delivery address, contact information, etc.) as needed to use the service. Registration requires your consent to use and process your personal data in accordance with these Terms.
3. Personal Information
During registration and use, we collect Personal Data (name, address, contact, payment information, etc.) to fulfill orders and comply with the law. We handle your personal data in compliance with Tanzania’s Personal Data Protection Act, 2022 (PDPA) which states, An Act to provide for principles of protection of personal data so as to establish minimum requirements for the collection and processing of personal data; to provide for establishment of Personal Data Protection Commission; to provide for improvement of protection of personal data processed by public and private bodies; and to provide for matters connected therewith. This means we will obtain your consent before collecting data, store it securely, and use it only for the purposes stated. You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal requirements. We will retain personal data only as long as needed for our services or legal obligations.
The categories of personal information described in the table above are detailed below:
Information you provide to us
If you are a representative or employee of any Buyer or Seller or a sole trader Buyer or Seller, subject to your use of the applicable functions and/or services on the Market place, we will ask you to provide:
Contact information, such as contact/legal representative name, address, phone number of the company/the contact, email address of the company and the contact/legal representative, job title and department, ID information, phone bills of the contact/legal representative.
Account information, such as your username and password, gender and your account settings.
Business information, such as identity information, tax registration and/or related information about your business, such as your company name, registration number and date, company official website, business type and industry, corporate registration details and information about your business license, proof of business operation including lease agreement, property deed, utility bills and etc.
Transaction information, such as transaction statements, billing/delivery address of the recipient of your order, payments and orders placed, and other details of the products you have supplied or purchased through the Market place.
Payment information, such as bank account numbers, credit/debit card numbers, credit/debit card holders, expiration dates and security code and tracking information from cheques or money orders, bank statement and account opening page.
In order to facilitate your use of the services available on the Market place (including on mobileoptimized websites and/or mobile applications), we may request for access to, and you may provide us with, contents stored in your devices including but not limited to photos, videos, calendar and/or other files. If you are using the communication tools available on the Marketplace (particularly in case of voice communication), we may require access to your camera and/or microphone.
From time to time, we may also collect information about the existing and prospective Users, during or in connection with trade shows, industry events and/or other functions, including representative contact names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses.
Information that we collect automatically
If you are a Buyer or Seller or prospective Buyer or Seller, we will automatically collect:
Device Information, such as the type of device you use, unique device identification numbers, IP address, browser type, browsing patterns, advertising identifiers, and other types of identifiers.
communication information, such as feedback and other communications with us (including when you interact with our subcontracted customer support agents), disputes/complaints from Sellers/Buyerson the Marketplace, copy of your correspondence if you contact us such as via our customer services department chat service, telephone or email (including in the case wherein those functions involved integration of services provided by thirdparty service providers) , chat information between you and other users via instant messaging services provided by AI Talk.
third parties that are engaged by us to provide verification services, such as conducting applicable antimoney laundering, fraud and “Know Your Customer” checks on the Buyers and Sellers, conducting due diligence and verification on Users. This includes your name, email address, company details, and contact information.
Information about your interactions with products and services offered by our group companies and affiliates.
If you choose to participate in reviewing or rating products and/or services on SokoniAfrica.com, we may receive personal information about you from third parties that work with us to conduct reviews into our services and/or rate us.
4. Disclosure of Personal Information
Tanzania’s new Personal Data Protection Act (2022) strictly limits how companies may use and share personal data. Under this law, personal data must be used only for its intended purpose, and it may be disclosed only with user consent, by legal requirement, or when directly related to the purpose for which it was collected. In line with these rules and industry practices, Sokoni Africa limits disclosure of user data to specific categories of recipients, as follows:
Other Sokoni Africa Users (Buyers/Sellers): We may share basic contact and transaction details (such as delivery addresses, order information, or phone numbers) with other users on the market place strictly to facilitate purchases and communication. For example, a buyer’s shipping address will be provided to the seller only when an order is placed. Such sharing is allowed when it is directly related to the transaction and with the user’s consent. Tanzania’s PDPA explicitly calls for strong data protection in retail and e-commerce, so we disclose only what is necessary to complete an order.
Affiliates and Group Companies: We may share personal data with our corporate affiliates (companies we control or that control us) and joint ventures, as well as with contractors and vendors that process data on our behalf. These might include our cloud services, software providers, IT support, or back-office processors. All affiliates and service providers are contractually required to protect personal data and use it only to support Sokoni Africa’s services. This is consistent with PDPA requirements that data be used only for its intended purpose and only disclosed under authorized conditions.
Third-Party Service and Technology Providers: We work with third parties that help operate our market place. These include payment processors (such as banks, mobile-money operators like M-Pesa, or credit card companies), cloud and web-hosting providers, customer support market places, analytics and messaging SDKs, and other IT service partners. We share only the information they need to perform their services (for example, transaction details for payment processors, or user IDs for cloud hosting). By law, these processors act under our instructions and must secure the data. Tanzania’s PDPA obligates processors to follow the controller’s directives and apply reasonable security safeguards, which we enforce through agreements. Any disclosure to such providers is limited to what’s necessary to deliver our service.
Payment and Financial Partners: To process orders and payments, we may disclose transaction and identity information (such as name, address, and account details) to payment service providers, banks, mobile money operators, and credit-check services. This enables secure payment and fraud prevention. Such disclosures are allowed under the PDPA when they are necessary for the performance of the purchase contract. We do not share full financial data beyond what is needed to complete the payment or assess credit risk.
Delivery, Logistics and Customs Partners: We share order details and delivery addresses with courier and logistics companies (including warehousing and returns providers) so they can ship products to buyers. For international shipments, we may provide required information (like description and value) to customs agents. These disclosures are strictly for order fulfillment and customs compliance. Under the PDPA, sharing data for purposes directly related to the original transaction is permitted. Tanzania’s data protection guidance explicitly includes online retail as a sector where robust data-sharing for delivery is needed.
Marketing, Analytics, and Advertising Partners: We may use third-party market places (such as social media or advertising networks) to analyze usage patterns and display relevant ads. When we do this, we share either anonymized/aggregated user data or marketing identifiers as permitted by law. The PDPA requires that personal data not be used for new purposes (like targeted marketing) unless the user has consented or it is otherwise lawful. We honor opt-out requests and only supply marketing partners with data on users who have agreed to receive promotional content.
Due Diligence, KYC and Verification Services: For seller registration and risk management, we may share information (such as identity documents, transaction history or financial records) with third-party verification and anti-fraud vendors. These checks help confirm user identities and assess credit risk, which are legitimate business purposes. Such disclosures are consistent with PDPA provisions, since they are closely related to the reason the data was collected (legitimate participation in e-commerce) and help protect users and the market place.
Customer Support and Communication Providers: When users contact us, we may use external customer service market places or messaging apps to handle queries. In these cases we may disclose relevant user data (like name and inquiry details) to those service providers so they can assist you. These providers are bound by confidentiality and must meet security standards. In Tanzania’s data protection framework, processing by service providers on behalf of a controller must be governed by contract and safeguard personal data, which we ensure through our agreements.
Risk Control and Fraud Prevention Services: We may employ specialized security and fraud-detection services. To monitor account security and prevent fraud, we might share transaction patterns or account details with these providers. This is a security measure permitted by the PDPA’s security requirements and related laws, as it helps to protect users and the market place from unauthorized activity.
Reputation and Rating Market places: If you leave a review or rating of our services through a third-party market place, we may share your username or profile (as provided by you) and your feedback with that service to display the review. We do not share additional personal profile information without explicit consent.
Legal, Regulatory and Government Authorities: We will disclose personal data when legally required. For example, we may need to provide information to courts, law enforcement, tax authorities or to the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in Tanzania if compelled by legal process. Under the PDPA, disclosure is explicitly permitted when required by law. Conversely, unauthorized disclosure (i.e. without legal basis or consent) is prohibited and even criminalized by Tanzanian law. We strictly comply with these rules and only share data with authorities when legally justified.
Business Transaction Partners: If Sokoni Africa is sold, merged or restructured, your personal data may be transferred to a new owner or affiliated business as part of that transaction. We will require the successor to uphold the same privacy commitments and only use data in accordance with this policy and the law.
Anonymized and Aggregated Data Recipients: We may provide fully de-identified or aggregated user data to third parties (for example, for market research or improving our service). Since this data cannot be used to identify any individual, it is outside the scope of “personal data” under PDPA. Tanzania’s law permits sharing of anonymized data for research and statistical purposes, provided privacy is preserved.
Third-Party Sites and Co-Branded Partners: Sokoni Africa may link to other websites or run co-branded services in partnership with other companies. When you click on those links or use such services, you may leave our market place. These third-party sites have their own privacy policies, and Sokoni Africa’s policy no longer applies once you navigate away. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their data practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external site or partner before submitting your information.
For all of the above, Sokoni Africa enforces strict confidentiality and contractual protections with any third party receiving personal data. We share information only as permitted by Tanzanian law. In fact, the PDPA makes clear that unconsented disclosure of personal data is an offence (punishable by fines). Therefore, we take great care to ensure data is shared only with authorized parties and only for legitimate, disclosed purposes.
5. Retention.
We retain your personal information as long as we have an ongoing legitimate business need todo so, for example to provide services or products to you, or as required or permitted by applicable laws, such as tax and accounting laws. When we have no ongoing legitimate business need to process your personal information, we will either delete or anonymize it.
6. Cookies.
To enable our systems to recognize your browser or device and to provide and improve our services, we or our authorized service providers may use cookies, beacons and/or other similar technologies (collectively, “Cookies”). For more information about the types of Cookies we use, why, and how you can control them, please read our cookies policy.
7. User Rights
As a user of the Marketplace, you may have the following data protection rights, which you can exercise pursuant to applicable laws at any time by contacting us using the contact details provided under section 18,
7.1. Buyer Rights
As a user of the Marketplace, you may have the following data protection rights, which you can exercise pursuant to applicable laws at any time by contacting us using the contact details provided under section 18,
As a buyer (customer) on Sokoni Africa, you are entitled to the following rights regarding your personal data:
Right to Access and Correct: You can request to see the personal information we hold about you (such as your profile, order history, shipping address) and have us correct any inaccuracies.
Right to Deletion (Erasure): You may ask us to delete your personal data (for example, by closing your account). We will erase your data when it is no longer needed for the purposes it was collected, unless retaining it is required by law or for fraud prevention.
Right to Object: You can object to any processing of your data based on our legitimate interests (such as analytics) or to our use of your data for direct marketing. For example, if you no longer want to receive promotional messages from us or our partners, you can withdraw consent and stop marketing communications.
Right to Restrict Processing: You may request that we temporarily limit (suspend) processing of your data in certain situations (for example, if you contest the accuracy of your data or dispute its use). During that time, we will only process your data to the extent necessary (for example, for legal defense).
Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive a copy of your personal data in a machine-readable format and transfer it to another service. For example, you can request an export of your account or order data if you wish to move it elsewhere.
Right to Withdraw Consent/opt Out: If you have given consent for any processing (such as receiving newsletters), you can withdraw that consent at any time. You also have a right to opt out of marketing communications. Practically, you can unsubscribe from emails or contact us to stop all promotional messages.
Right to Appeal or Lodge Complaint: If we deny your request or you are not satisfied with our response, you can appeal internally or lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner or relevant authority. We will always provide a way for you to escalate such issues.
7.2. Vendor Rights
As a vendor (merchant) on Sokoni Africa, your personal and business data are protected by similar rights:
Right to Access and Correct: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you or your business (such as contact details, business registration, and transaction records) and have us correct any mistakes.
Right to Deletion: You may ask to delete your vendor account and associated personal data when you no longer wish to sell on the market place. We will remove your data when it is no longer needed for our operations or if you withdraw your consent. (Some information may be retained longer if required by law, e.g., for tax purposes.)
Right to Object and Withdraw Consent: You can object to any processing of your data that is based on our legitimate interests (for example, analytics about sales). You can also withdraw consent to any processing that depends on consent, such as receiving marketing emails. Vendors may opt out of our promotional communications at any time by unsubscribing or contacting us.
Right to Restrict Processing: In certain cases (for example, if you dispute the accuracy of your data), you may request that we limit processing of your data. We will honor such requests as required by law.
Right to Data Portability: You can request an electronic copy of your vendor data (such as your product listings or account profile) in a structured format, enabling you to migrate it to another market place if you wish.
Right to Appeal or Lodge Complaint: You may appeal any denial of your data requests or file a complaint with us or the data protection authority. We will provide information on how to do this if needed.
Resale Data Sharing (Vendors and Winga): If you authorize a Winga reseller to repost your products, Sokoni Africa will share only the data necessary for that arrangement (e.g. product information, order details, shipping data). We ensure this sharing is lawful. You have the right to object or withdraw consent to any additional uses of your data by Winga beyond fulfilling sales. For example, if a Winga attempted to use your contact or product data for unrelated marketing, you could restrict that processing.
Marketing and Data Sharing: We may send you service-related notices (such as order updates) and promotional messages (with your consent). You can opt out of any promotional marketing at any time. When we share your data with Winga under a reseller agreement, we do so only to complete sales and pay commissions. You retain all rights over your data in these transactions, including the ability to object if data is used in an unexpected way.
7.3. Winga Rights
Winga resellers on Sokoni Africa have rights analogous to vendors regarding the personal data we hold for them:
Right to Access and Correct: You can view and correct the personal data we keep about you (e.g., your contact information, profile, and sales records).
Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your Winga account and related personal data when you no longer operate on the market place. We will delete your data when it is no longer needed or if you withdraw consent, subject to any legal retention requirements.
Right to Object and Withdraw Consent: You can object to any processing based on our legitimate interests (such as analytics) and withdraw consent to any use of your data (such as marketing). You may opt out of receiving any promotional communications from us or from vendors.
Right to Restrict Processing: If you dispute the accuracy of your data or object to certain processing, you can ask us to limit further use of your personal data. We will comply with these requests as required by law.
Right to Data Portability: You may obtain a machine-readable copy of your personal data (for example, your sales and commission records) to transfer to another system.
Right to Appeal or Lodge Complaint: You can appeal any refusal of your data rights requests or lodge a complaint with us or the data protection authority.
Data Sharing with Vendors: When vendors share product information or customer contacts with you for resale, it is done under a lawful basis (typically performance of the sales agreement). You have rights over any personal data you receive: you may object to its use beyond the resale purpose. For example, you cannot use a buyer’s personal contact details for unrelated marketing without that person’s consent. You may also withdraw consent to any sharing of your data beyond what is needed to process sales.
Marketing and Data Sharing: We may send Winga members news and updates about the marketplace; you can unsubscribe at any time. Any personal data you receive from vendors (such as order details) is limited to fulfilling sales. Winga must comply with these data rights: you can object if a vendor tries to use your data for additional purposes (like unsolicited marketing) beyond the agreed purpose of the sale.
8. Commissions, Payments and Taxes
8.1. Commission and Fees
Sokoni Africa charges a flat 3% commission on each sale facilitated through the app. This applies whether the sale is made directly by a vendor or by a Winga reselling a vendor’s product. The 3% is deducted from the sale proceeds before payment is remitted to the vendor. Vendors set their own product prices (subject to Tanzanian pricing and competition laws). In the event of a refund, cancellation or chargeback, Sokoni Africa will withhold or recover the commission (and any fees) from the vendor’s payout to cover the transaction reversal. (For example, under typical payment provider rules the vendor incurs chargeback fees equal to the transaction amount).
8.2. Payment Processing
All payments in the Sokoni Africa app are processed by licensed third-party providers (such as mobile money services or card processors) that operate under Tanzanian regulation. Sokoni Africa does not handle payment data or hold buyer funds directly; instead, the chosen payment provider collects the buyer’s payment and settles the net amount (sale price minus our commission and any fees) to the vendor/Winga. Any processing fees or charges imposed by the payment provider will be clearly disclosed at checkout and may be paid by the vendor or buyer as specified. By using Sokoni Africa, buyers and vendors agree to the terms and fees of the selected payment provider. All payment services are governed by Tanzanian law (e.g. providers licensed under the Bank of Tanzania’s Payment System Regulations.
8.3. Taxes and VAT
VAT: Sokoni Africa is registered for Tanzanian VAT. We charge the standard 18% VAT on all taxable sales, as required by Tanzanian law. All prices and invoices will clearly show VAT when applicable. The VAT collected at checkout is remitted to the Tanzania Revenue Authority in compliance with the Value Added Tax Act.
Digital Taxes: Under Tanzania’s tax laws, non-resident vendors selling via the app are subject to a 2% Digital Services Tax (DST). Sokoni Africa, as the Tanzanian-based market place, is required to withhold 3% on payments made to resident vendors (per the Income Tax Act). These taxes are collected at checkout or on settlement and remitted to the TRA. Vendors are responsible for their own income tax and any other business taxes on earnings from Sokoni Africa.
All tax rates and rules (including DST and withholding obligations) follow current Tanzanian law. Sokoni Africa will update prices and taxes in the app if any tax rates change under Tanzanian law.
9. Order Delivery and Risk of Loss
Delivery Options
Multiple Delivery Methods: At Sokoni Africa, you can choose from several delivery methods for your order. We may ship your items with our own delivery team or use trusted courier partners. All available delivery options and any shipping fees will be clearly shown when you check out. If a Vendor wants to use a different courier, we will only allow it with Sokoni Africa’s approval, and we will track that delivery just like our own.
Vendor and Shipping Responsibilities
Vendor Shipping Time: Each Vendor must ship your purchased goods within the time frame they listed on their product page. If they promise 3–5 business days, they must send it by then. The cost of shipping is either included in the product price or listed separately before you pay. Unless agreed otherwise, the Vendor generally pays for the shipment.
Packaging and Safety: Vendors are responsible for properly packaging your items for safe delivery. They should pack fragile or high-value items carefully to protect them in transit. This helps ensure you get products in good condition.
Customer Information: As a customer, you must provide a correct delivery address and a reachable phone number or email. This ensures our courier can find you and deliver your order without unnecessary delay.
Risk of Loss
When Risk Passes to You: The “risk of loss” means who is responsible if a package is lost, stolen, or damaged during shipping. In general, once your order is handed over to the courier or marked “delivered” in our system, the risk shifts to you (the Customer). This means after that point, Sokoni Africa and the Vendor are not liable if the carrier loses the package, since it has left our hands.
Claims for Lost or Damaged Goods: If something does go wrong in transit, Sokoni Africa or the Vendor may ask you to help file a claim with the courier. It’s important that you check your package immediately upon arrival. If any item is missing or damaged, please report it to us within 24 hours of delivery. We require prompt reporting so we can act quickly.
Delivery Verification
Pre-Dispatch Check: Before the delivery person leaves our facility, they will verify that your package and its contents match your order. This includes checking item names, quantities, and condition to prevent mistakes.
Post-Delivery Confirmation: When your order arrives, you (or someone at the delivery address) will be asked to confirm receipt of the correct items. This may involve signing a delivery note or confirming via phone. These verification steps help ensure you receive the exact products you ordered.
Delivery Times and Delays
Estimated Delivery Dates: We try to give you a clear estimate of when your order will arrive, based on the shipping method and your location. However, all delivery dates are estimates. Occasional delays can happen due to weather, road conditions, or other factors outside our control. While we work hard to meet our delivery targets, please understand that some delays are possible.
Responsibility for Delays: If your delivery is later than expected, Sokoni Africa and the Vendor are not liable for the delay if it was caused by events like severe weather, transport strikes, or other “force majeure” events. However, we will do our best to update you with any information we have about your shipment’s status.
10. Order Cancellation, Returns, and Refunds
Refunds and Returns
Force Majeure Delays: If delivery is delayed due to events beyond Sokoni Africa’s control (for example, accidents, severe traffic, natural disasters), no refund will be issued. In such cases we will extend the delivery time and fulfill the order as soon as reasonably possible in light of the circumstances.
Third-Party Errors: If a delivery or payment failure is caused by a third-party service (such as a courier or the payment provider), that third party’s own terms and contract govern any refund or return. Sokoni Africa will cooperate with both the buyer and the third party to resolve the issue, but refunds/returns in that case are handled by the responsible service per its policy.
Buyer Cancellations (Vendor Breach): If a vendor (or Winga) fails to deliver the goods or otherwise breaches these terms, the buyer may cancel the transaction under Tanzania’s Electronic Transactions Act. In that case the consumer is entitled to a full refund. Specifically, if the transaction is cancelled, any payment already made must be refunded to the buyer in full within 30 days. Sokoni Africa will forward the cancellation to the vendor and facilitate the refund process.
Defective or Misdescribed Goods: If a product is defective, damaged or materially not as described, the buyer may return it for a refund or replacement. Sokoni Africa will help coordinate this process, Third-Party Errors: If a delivery or payment failure is caused by a third-party service (such as a courier or the payment provider), that third party’s own terms and contract govern any refund or return. Sokoni Africa will cooperate with both the buyer and the third party to resolve the issue, but refunds/returns in that case are handled by the responsible service per its policy.
Buyer Cancellations (Vendor Breach): If a vendor (or Winga) fails to deliver the goods or otherwise breaches these terms, the buyer may cancel the transaction under Tanzania’s Electronic Transactions Act. In that case the consumer is entitled to a full refund. Specifically, if the transaction is cancelled, any payment already made must be refunded to the buyer in full within 30 days. Sokoni Africa will forward the cancellation to the vendor and facilitate the refund process.
Defective or Misdescribed Goods: If a product is defective, damaged or materially not as described, the buyer may return it for a refund or replacement. Sokoni Africa will help coordinate this process, but the vendor/Winga is responsible for issuing the refund. (Vendors must comply with Tanzania’s consumer protection norms regarding product quality and description).
Refund Timing: When refunds are issued, the corresponding amount of any commission or fees charged by Sokoni Africa will also be refunded. We aim to process refunds within 14 business days.
Chargebacks
Payment Disputes: If a buyer disputes a charge (for example by requesting a bank or card chargeback), the matter will be handled according to the rules of the payment provider or card network. Sokoni Africa and the vendor/Winga will cooperate with the provider’s investigation.
The vendor is responsible for any chargeback amount or fees under the provider’s policy (typically, the vendor will be charged the reversed amount unless the dispute is caused by the provider’s error). Sokoni Africa will deduct any such chargeback losses or fees from the vendor’s future payouts.
Statutory Cooling-Off: In accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act 2015, consumers have a right to cancel certain distance contracts (online orders) within a short cooling-off period. To the extent applicable, Sokoni Africa honors this right for eligible products. Goods specifically customized or perishable (e.g., fresh food) may not be cancelable under the cooling-off rule.
11. Marketplace Use and Conduct
Permitted Use: You may use Sokoni Africa only for lawful purposes, as intended by these Terms. For Customers, this means browsing, ordering, and paying for products. For Vendors, this means listing and selling products, and fulfilling orders.
Prohibited Conduct: You agree not to:
Misrepresent your identity or contact information.
Violate any Tanzanian law or regulation while using the Market place (including consumer protection, intellectual property, or cyber security laws). Notably, fraudulent activity, hacking, unauthorized data scraping, or payment fraud is strictly prohibited (the Cybercrimes Act 2015 criminalizes such acts).
Harass or threaten other users.
Distribute viruses or malicious software.
Post illegal, obscene, or offensive content.
Use automated tools to interact with the Market place unless expressly authorized.
Manipulate prices, ratings, or reviews.
Enforcement: We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account and revoke access to the Market place if you violate these Terms or engage in prohibited behavior. Repeated or serious violations may be reported to authorities.
12. Minors
The Sokoni Africa e-commerce marketplace is primarily intended for use by adults aged 18 years and above. We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or process personal information from individuals under the age of 18 (“Minors”) without proper consent. However, Minors may use the Sokoni Africa marketplace only under the active supervision, consent, and responsibility of a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian shall be fully accountable for the Minor’s activities on the marketplace, including the accuracy of information provided, any transactions made, and the use of personal data. Sokoni Africa does not directly market, sell, or deliver products and services to Minors. Should we become aware that a Minor has provided personal information or conducted any activity on the market place without verified parental or guardian consent, we will take appropriate steps to suspend or terminate such access and delete related information in accordance with the Tanzania Data Protection Act, 2022 and the Law of the Child Act, 2009. Parents or legal guardians who believe that a Minor has provided personal data or engaged with Sokoni Africa without consent may contact us immediately using our contact information in section 18 below.
13. Intellectual Property
Sokoni Africa IP: The Sokoni Africa name, logo, graphics, and all site and app content are the intellectual property of Sokoni Africa. You may not use our trademarks or content without our written permission.
User Content: Vendors and Users retain ownership of the content they post (such as product photos or reviews) but grant Sokoni Africa a license to display it. By posting content, you represent that you have the necessary rights. We may remove content that infringes on third-party IP rights or violates these Terms.
14. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
No Guarantee: The Market place is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee that the service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free. We are not responsible for system outages, bugs, or user mistakes.
Vendor Responsibility: Sokoni Africa acts only as a venue for buyers and sellers to transact. We do not own or take possession of the products sold. Vendors are solely responsible for their products and any claims related to those products. Customers deal directly with Vendors regarding product quality, fit for purpose, legality, or any loss/damage caused by a product. Sokoni Africa is not liable for any defects, misrepresentations, or issues with purchased items.
Limitation: To the maximum extent permitted by law, Sokoni Africa’s liability for any claim arising from these Terms is limited to the amount of fees paid by the Vendor or order value (for customers) related to the claim. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or punitive damages (such as lost profits, data loss, or business interruption).
Risk Acknowledgment: You acknowledge that e-commerce carries risks (such as shipping delays, product defects, or payment issues). You agree to bear these risks in using the marketplace, except where law requires otherwise.
15. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of Tanzania. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Market place shall be submitted to the competent courts of Tanzania. Users may also seek remedies through Tanzania’s consumer protection bodies. For example, the Fair Competition Commission (FCC) and the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) handle consumer complaints, and civil courts can resolve contract disputes. We encourage resolving disputes amicably through our customer support before pursuing legal action.
16. Termination of Service
By You: You may close your account at any time. Closing a vendor account does not entitle you to refunds of any paid subscription fees, but unused portions of fees may be refunded at our discretion.
By Us: We may suspend or terminate accounts at our discretion (e.g., for breach of terms, long inactivity, or at our business discretion). Upon termination, your right to use the Market place ends. We will delete or anonymize your personal data as described in Section 5. Any outstanding obligations (such as unpaid commissions) will still apply.
17. Changes to Terms
Sokoni Africa may amend these Terms from time to time (for example, to comply with new laws or change fees). We will notify users of material changes by email or app notification. The updated Terms will be effective upon posting. Continued use of the Market place after changes indicates your acceptance of the new Terms.
18. Contact Information
If you want to send any notice under these Terms or have any questions regarding the Service, you may contact us at: hello@sokoni.africa or info@researchgears.com
