As a child, Christian Ngabo always dreamed of being able to create computer applications that allow people to do specific tasks with ease. He was fascinated by technology and how it could solve real-world problems. ALSO READ: Inside Rwanda’s fast growing e-commerce industry Fast forward, the 25-year-old recalls a day when he sat in his Kigali apartment, sweating under occasional relentless heat back in December 2023. As he searched online for a fan that could be delivered to his doorstep, he ran into one hurdle after another. One store listed the machine he needed, but it was out of stock when he called. That frustrating experience inspired the computer science graduate to create a new e-commerce platform that would make shopping in Kigali easier and more reliable. ALSO READ: How can e-commerce scale beyond Kigali? A year later, Ngabo’s idea became reality with the birth of Isokko, an e-commerce app that is revolutionizing Kigalians’ shopping experience by allowing users to purchase items including latest fashion trends, essential groceries, and unique gifts, from a variety of stores and have them delivered to their doorstep on the same day. The App’s name is derived from a Kinyarwanda word, isoko, meaning market. Ngabo who now lives in Atlanta, the capital of the U.S. state of Georgia, recalls the moment he decided to create Isokko. ALSO READ: Five measures to boost e-commerce in Rwanda “I didn’t think much about it at first. But, later, a friend encouraged me to go for it. Since I already had experience building apps, I decided to give it a shot,” he said. What began as a casual idea quickly evolved into a serious project by April 2024. By September, the app was complete, and in December, it was soft-launched with the support of two partners. Now available on the web, App Store, and Google Play Store, Isokko connects users to popular local supermarkets including Simba Supermarket and Sawa Citi. The platform’s real-time inventory updates eliminate the frustration of ordering out-of-stock items, addressing a key challenge in e-commerce and ensuring a seamless shopping experience. Isokko addresses two issues in Kigali’s e-commerce scene; outdated inventory data and limited accessibility. “We built Isokko to solve the problem of outdated stock information. Through our partnerships with stores, we keep their inventory updated in real-time, and with both a website and mobile apps, the platform caters to users who prefer different ways to shop,” Ngabo explained. For Paula Annette Jabiro, a resident of Nyarutarama, in Kigali, using the app just before Christmas was an amazing experience. “The delivery was fast, and I liked that the products have clear descriptions. You can purchase items at your convenience,” she said. Jabiro first heard about the app from a friend and decided to give it a try. “I bought a few things from Sawa Citi, and they were delivered in about 36 minutes,” she added. Within its first 10 days, Isokko hit 12,000 downloads, becoming the top shopping app in Rwanda. Ngabo attributes this growth to the team’s innovative strategies such as bulk purchasing popular products at discounted rates to attract customers and create buzz during the festive season. Isokko is creating opportunities for Kigali’s workforce and Ngabo’s vision includes providing job options for locals. “We’re working on partnering with car owners who want flexible side jobs to handle deliveries. Another upcoming feature will allow individuals to sign up as shoppers, pick orders from nearby stores, and deliver them. It’s a way for people to earn money without committing to a 9 am-to-5 pm schedule,” Ngabo said. Isokko’s team currently comprises Ngabo, his two partners, four employees, and 10 riders. Although the team has remained steady since the app’s launch, there is a plan to expand and bring onboard more riders to meet the increasing demand. Ngabo’s vision for Isokko goes far beyond what it offers today. He sees the platform as a driver of economic growth, supporting local businesses while fostering tech innovation in the country. Ngabo said: “By partnering with supermarkets and vendors, we’re not just helping them sell more, we’re connecting them to customers they might not have otherwise reached.” Deborah Ijigija, the proprietor of a cosmetics shop at Kigali Heights, started using the platform in December 2024. “The app has made it so much easier to connect with customers, ensuring fast and reliable deliveries. It’s incredibly easy to navigate, allowing me to manage orders seamlessly,” Ijigija said. She also stressed the app’s role in helping her stay organized and maintain control over her inventory. “It ensures my customers always get what they need. Isokko has truly been a game changer for my business,” she said. Ngabo hopes Isokko will inspire more tech-driven solutions in Rwanda. And he is considering launching programmes to train young developers, ensuring Isokko becomes a catalyst for both economic and technological progress. His vision for Isokko is beginning to take shape. One of the most exciting features in the pipeline is a subscription service for recurring orders. “Imagine having bread delivered to your doorstep every morning, at 9 am, for a month. That’s the level of convenience we want to offer,” he said. Challenges Some of the challenges the platform faces in Kigali’s e-commerce sector include the lack of record tracking systems in local stores. “Stores don’t have a way to record their catalogue, and sometimes when we reach out for product availability, they don’t know. We often have to go in and manually check the stock ourselves,” he explained. This labour-intensive process leads to problems when items are ordered but out of stock. “If the store doesn’t have the item, we have to cancel the order. For example, we might list milk as available, but if it’s out of stock, we can’t fulfill the order, creating frustration for customers,” Ngabo stated. Ngabo compares this to the systems in stores like Walmart and Target in the US where employees can quickly check stock levels through an app, and the system updates automatically. “Unfortunately, that kind of technology isn’t available here [in Rwanda], so we’re working on building it for local stores to ensure real-time data,” he added. Another challenge Isokko faces is rider inconsistency since some riders sign up but aren’t always available, with many of them being used to flexible schedules. “When a rider cancels last minute, we need a backup plan to ensure the customer isn’t left waiting,” Ngabo noted. Currently, Isokko operates from 10:00 am to 10:45 pm to match store hours, but Ngabo is working towards ensuring a 24/7 operation. “Once we partner with 24-hour stores and have riders available for night and day shifts, we will be able to operate round the clock,” he said. ‘I always dreamed of becoming a software developer’ Born and raised in Kigali, Ngabo had three siblings, a younger brother and two younger sisters, now studying in the US and Canada. After completing high school, in Kigali, he pursued a computer science degree in the United States, and graduated in 2022. Soon after, he secured his dream job as a software developer at a Wall Street firm. “As a child, I always dreamed of becoming a software developer,” he said. “I was fascinated by how technology could solve real-world problems.” That curiosity and passion now drive his entrepreneurial journey. Besides work, the young man enjoys playing basketball and video games.