Started in Meru, Kenya in 2021 • Now building the future of African social commerce
Empath Software began as a small cybershop in Meru, Kenya in 2021, where we first observed the digital needs of local businesses. Through direct interaction with entrepreneurs and sellers, we identified the challenges they faced in the digital space.
This hands-on experience inspired us to expand into web and mobile development services, helping businesses establish their digital presence while continuing our research into the unique commerce patterns of African markets.
John Muriithi — product builder, web/mobile developer, and ex-cybershop owner
Email: john@empathsoftware.com
During my time running a small copy shop in 2021, I noticed my neighbors, mostly fashion sellers, were posting products daily on WhatsApp Status. This observation sparked the idea for LoopSell after years of research and development.
Professional web and mobile development solutions
Building responsive, scalable web applications with cutting-edge technologies and elegant design that captivates users.
Creating intuitive mobile experiences across iOS and Android platforms with seamless performance and stunning interfaces.
End-to-end digital transformation services that integrate frontend elegance with powerful backend architecture.
Understanding the problem and our unique approach
Despite the popularity of Facebook Marketplace, TikTok, and e-commerce sites like Jumia, young African sellers continue using WhatsApp because it's personal, trusted, and grounded in real-world contacts.
"It should reach a lot of people without them even being in my contacts." — Fashion seller during research
These insights exposed a gap in the African social commerce landscape: existing platforms are either too large and impersonal, or too rigid to match sellers' habits. Young sellers need social-first commerce that mirrors WhatsApp's familiarity but amplifies reach and usability.
WhatsApp Status works because it is trusted, social, and personal, not because it is scalable. Sellers value relationships more than features, but current platforms do not support discovery beyond immediate contacts.
LoopSell is built to combine social trust with broader reach and commerce tools, enabling sellers to monetize networks without losing familiarity.
Status-native marketplace for African social commerce
React Native (Expo), Firebase backend, EAS builds, hosted on scalable cloud infrastructure.
After years of research and development, LoopSell is launching on December 1st:
Our path to transforming African social commerce
LoopSell is the first step toward a pan-African social commerce ecosystem, where sellers can grow their businesses effortlessly, buyers discover products organically, and social connections drive commerce naturally.
If you wish to delete your LoopSell account and all associated data, please follow the steps below:
Data Retention:
Once deletion is complete, you will receive a confirmation email.