Last updated 6 months ago
Ethiopian sellers and buyers lack a trusted, transparent, and secure online marketplace. Centralized platforms are costly, limited, and exclude many local merchants
Build a decentralized e-commerce DApp with ADA and fiat/mobile money payments, smart contract escrow, and seller reputation tracking for Ethiopia..
This is the total amount allocated to EthioMarket DApp: Decentralized E-Commerce for Ethiopia.
Please provide your proposal title
EthioMarket DApp: Decentralized E-Commerce for Ethiopia
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
93000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
6
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Ethiopian sellers and buyers lack a trusted, transparent, and secure online marketplace. Centralized platforms are costly, limited, and exclude many local merchants
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
License and Additional Information
All code (smart contracts, frontend, backend APIs), UI components, and documentation will be shared on GitHub under a permissive open-source license for community reuse and upgrades.
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal.
E-commerce
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously funded (whether by you or others).
EthioMarket is innovative because it merges crypto and fiat payments in one decentralized system. While most e-commerce relies on banks, we integrate Cardano smart contracts with local fiat gateways (Telebirr, Chapa) so buyers can pay however they prefer, while sellers receive guaranteed funds through escrow. This hybrid model is new in Ethiopia and ensures adoption even among those new to crypto, while still driving ADA utility.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The MVP will show:
A web-based storefront for product listings
Escrow smart contract handling ADA and fiat payments
Seller reputation tracking on-chain
Fiat gateway integration with Telebirr & Chapa APIs
Accessible via mobile browser, the MVP will be tested with 20–30 Ethiopian sellers before full launch
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
On-chain: 50+ ADA transactions in escrow contracts during pilot
Fiat gateway: Successful fiat/crypto hybrid checkout with 100 transactions in 6 months
Adoption: 20 sellers onboarded, 100 buyers within 6 months
Sustainability: >70% repeat customers in first quarter
Open Source: GitHub repo reused by other African team
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
The solution is to create EthioMarket, a decentralized e-commerce platform built on Cardano that directly addresses Ethiopia’s lack of trusted online marketplaces by combining the security of blockchain with the flexibility of hybrid payments. At its core, the system uses smart contract escrow to guarantee that funds are only released once buyers confirm receipt of goods, removing fraud risks that plague centralized platforms. Unlike existing marketplaces, which rely on banks or international processors, EthioMarket integrates both ADA payments and local fiat gateways (Telebirr, Chapa, and other mobile money systems). This ensures that even users without prior crypto experience can transact, while simultaneously driving real ADA adoption.
The platform provides a web and mobile-friendly storefront where sellers can list products and buyers can shop with confidence. Each seller’s performance delivery rates, ratings, and history is recorded on-chain, creating a transparent reputation system that cannot be manipulated. This builds trust between merchants and buyers without the need for intermediaries. To further localize the solution, the interface will support Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and English, enabling broad accessibility in Ethiopia’s multilingual market.
During the initial pilot, 20–30 vendors will onboard with training, custodial wallet support, and small internet/data subsidies to ensure inclusion. This real-world testing will validate the escrow logic, fiat-crypto checkout, and user experience. After validation, EthioMarket will expand to hundreds of merchants and thousands of buyers, creating a scalable model of blockchain-powered commerce in Ethiopia.
By combining secure transactions, hybrid payment rails, multilingual accessibility, and open-source infrastructure, EthioMarket provides not just a technical solution but a practical and socially impactful bridge between Ethiopia’s traditional markets and the Cardano ecosystem. It demonstrates blockchain utility in daily trade, strengthens economic inclusion, and creates a replicable model for e-commerce across Africa.
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
This project introduces ADA into Ethiopia’s commerce ecosystem by linking it with local fiat payment gateways. By allowing hybrid crypto/fiat transactions, EthioMarket lowers the barrier for entry while expanding ADA’s role in real-world trade. It complements Atala PRISM’s identity adoption in Ethiopia by adding economic functionality, showing Cardano as both an identity and commerce backbone. Open-source release means other African entrepreneurs can clone the system, spreading Cardano adoption continent-wide. For Catalyst, this is a showcase of how Cardano solves real economic problems and grows utility outside speculative markets.
What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?
Our team blends blockchain developers, fintech engineers, and local business experts. Feasibility is secured through phased rollout and hybrid payments.
Technical We will build Plutus smart contracts for escrow, integrate Cardano wallets, and connect fiat gateways via APIs. ADA will remain the primary payment option, but fiat (Telebirr, Chapa) ensures mainstream users can also transact, creating real-world usability.
Operational:
The marketplace will start with a pilot of 20–30 trusted vendors in Addis Ababa and Hawassa. Seller coordinators will train merchants, distribute wallets, and assist onboarding. Custodial wallets will be offered for users unfamiliar with crypto.
Sustainability:
EthioMarket will operate as an open-source project, enabling others to replicate it across Africa. Local merchants will benefit from lower fees compared to centralized platforms, ensuring long-term retention.
Feasibility Track Record:
Our developers have prior experience with blockchain DApps, API integration, and multilingual systems. Ethiopia’s rapidly expanding smartphone penetration and strong mobile money usage make this project timely and achievable.
Milestone Title
Smart Contract & Fiat Gateway Foundation
Milestone Outputs
Development of the core smart contracts that handle escrow logic, product listings, and initial integration with fiat gateways. The output includes working testnet contracts capable of holding and releasing ADA upon delivery confirmation, as well as a functional API bridge to Telebirr and Chapa sandbox environments
Acceptance Criteria
Escrow contracts are successfully deployed to Cardano testnet, validated through multiple simulated buyer-seller transactions. Fiat gateway APIs must connect and return successful payment responses. Contract logic is reviewed internally to ensure funds cannot be released until both buyer and seller conditions are satisfied.
Evidence of Completion
A public GitHub repository containing the contract code, transaction hashes from testnet showing escrow holding and release, API test logs proving fiat connectivity, and a recorded video demonstration showing a product listed, purchased, and confirmed through escrow.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
23000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
DApp Frontend & Reputation System Output
Milestone Outputs
A working DApp frontend that connects to Cardano wallets and fiat payment systems. The interface will include product browsing, a seller dashboard for uploading listings and a basic on-chain reputation system where buyers leave ratings after completed purchases.
Acceptance Criteria
Buyers can browse and select products, initiate payments in both ADA and fiat, and sellers can successfully list new products. Wallet connection must work with at least one Cardano-compatible wallet. Reputation scores must update on-chain after completed transactions, and fiat payment confirmations must update the order status correctly
Evidence of Completion
A hosted beta version of the DApp accessible via browser, GitHub commits showing the integrated frontend and backend APIs, screenshots of purchases completed in both ADA and fiat, and a walkthrough video recording showing the entire flow from product listing to purchase completion and rating update.
Delivery Month
1
Cost
23000
Progress
20 %
Milestone Title
Merchant Pilot & Transaction Testing
Milestone Outputs
Execution of a live pilot involving 20–30 Ethiopian merchants, where at least 50 combined ADA and fiat transactions are processed through the platform. Pilot includes real buyers making purchases, sellers using dashboards, and testing of the escrow release process in real-world market conditions.
Acceptance Criteria
At least 50 successful transactions are completed with 70%+ success rate where escrow is correctly released upon delivery confirmation. Merchants confirm that the system is easy to use and reliable. Buyers must be able to pay with both ADA and fiat seamlessly, and leave ratings stored immutably on-chain.
Evidence of Completion
A published pilot report containing transaction data, analytics dashboards, and customer usage statistics. Signed merchant surveys confirming satisfaction with platform usability, public transaction hashes showing ADA escrow releases, screenshots of fiat payment confirmations, and a summary case study highlighting outcomes.
Delivery Month
2
Cost
23000
Progress
40 %
Milestone Title
Public Launch & Open Source Release
Milestone Outputs
Public launch of EthioMarket as an operational decentralized marketplace with full ADA + fiat payment support. The platform will be opened to the general public with no pilot restrictions, fully localized UI, and marketing activities to promote usage. Open-source release of code and documentation on GitHub will also be delivered.
Acceptance Criteria
The website must be live and publicly accessible, open-source code and developer documentation must be published under MIT license, and the platform must onboard at least 100 unique buyers. A public marketing campaign in Addis Ababa and online should show evidence of outreach and awareness for adoption.
Evidence of Completion
public GitHub repository with complete source code and installation documentation, analytics report showing active users and transactions, list of onboarded merchants and buyers, transaction hashes verifying ADA and fiat orders, screenshots of promotional content, and community feedback posted online.
Delivery Month
2
Cost
24000
Progress
20 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
Smart Contract Dev (18,570 ADA): Escrow, rating, fiat-crypto hybrid logic.
Frontend & API Dev (21,430 ADA): Storefront UI, wallet connect, fiat gateway APIs.
UX & Localization (8,570 ADA): Amharic/Oromo/English UI, mobile-first responsive design.
Seller Pilot Onboarding (11,430 ADA): Internet/data support, training, starter devices.
Fiat Gateway Integration (10,000 ADA): Telebirr + Chapa APIs, compliance, testing.
QA & Project Management (12,860 ADA): Testing cycles, coordination, milestone delivery.
Outreach & Documentation (10,140 ADA): GitHub repo, guides, marketing launch, social promotion.
Total: 93,000 ADA
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
EthioMarket delivers long-term economic utility for Cardano at a modest cost. By enabling payments in both ADA and fiat, the project ensures real adoption beyond crypto-native users, giving merchants a reason to use Cardano daily. Open-source code maximizes reuse potential for other African teams, multiplying Catalyst’s impact. With 100 users projected in the first 6 months, the cost per onboarded user is low compared to centralized alternatives. This project stands out for being practical, scalable, and synergistic with Cardano’s Africa mission, ensuring maximum value for Catalyst investment.
Terms and Conditions:
Yes
Nataniem seyoum – Product Lead: Vision, pilot planning, merchant outreach.
Firaol Gezahegn – Developer Lead: Smart contracts, fiat/ADA gateway integration.
Full-Stack Engineer – DApp Dev: Frontend, wallet connect, API handling.
UX Designer: Multilingual UI & mobile-first optimization.
Seller Coordinator: Vendor onboarding, training, pilot management.
QA Tester: Transaction testing, bug reporting, usability feedback.