Online buyers to be hit as Mocality pulls out of Kenya

• Its closure is set to impact thousands of business owners who were listing their services on the site and online shoppers who relied on the website to buy goods and services at discounted rates.

Online business directory firm, Mocality, will close down its Kenyan and Nigerian arms at the end of this month in what it says is a strategic review of its investment priorities. In a statement, the South Africa-based firm said all operations in the two countries will close on February 28.

“We would like to thank all of our customers and business owners for your patronage and support over this time. We would also like to thank all of our agents, suppliers, staff and die-hard fans for your enthusiasm, drive and dedication that made Mocality into what it was,” read a post in its website on Friday last week.

Its closure is set to impact thousands of business owners who were listing their services on the site and online shoppers who relied on the website to buy goods and services at discounted rates.

Owned by MIH Internet — subsidiary of South African media giant Naspers — the firm opened business in Kenya four years ago.

Refund money

The shutdown comes barely two years after Kalahari, another subsidiary of MIH, folded out of the Kenyan and Nigerian market citing non-profitability. This leaves Dealfish as the only subsidiary still operating in the two markets.

The firm said it will refund money for all paid up services that should have been rendered after February 28.

“Please log into the system between now and the 28th to retrieve any data that you may require from the system, as the system will no longer be available after the 28th February 2013,” said the firm.

“The fact that our site and related services is shutting down does not affect any coupons you may have purchased via our site.

Coupons remain valid until they either expire or are redeemed in full by you at the relevant merchant,” the statement said.