Facebook Marketplace is celebrating its 10th anniversary, highlighting how Nigerians use the platform to discover products, sell items and connect with buyers and sellers within their communities, RaveNewsOnline reports.
The platform records more than 835,000 listings in Nigeria every month, with electronics accounting for over 180,000 monthly listings, while home items and fashion each attract more than 110,000 listings. Home improvement products account for over 40,000 listings monthly.
These figures underscore the variety of products available on Facebook Marketplace, offering buyers more options to explore and sellers opportunities to reach potential customers.
Marketplace was launched after Facebook observed that people were already buying and selling items within its Groups. The platform provided a dedicated space for these activities, making it easier for users to discover products and connect with potential buyers and sellers.
Ten years later, that purpose remains central to the Marketplace experience.
“People come to Facebook to connect over the things that matter to them, and buying and selling is part of that everyday activity. We built Marketplace because people were already trading in Facebook Groups, and we wanted to give that a dedicated home where it’s simpler to discover products and connect with buyers and sellers,” said Oluwasola Obagbemi, Head of Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta.
“That’s the story of Facebook: we see what people are already doing, and then make it easier. As we celebrate 10 years, we’re recognising the people and communities who make Marketplace useful every day,” Obagbemi added.
The Meta executive said the company was committed to making buying and selling safer, noting that safety tools are integrated into the platform and that users are encouraged to adopt simple practices to protect themselves.
For buyers, Marketplace provides an avenue to search for specific items, compare available options and communicate directly with sellers to ask questions about products.
Sellers, on the other hand, can list items and connect with prospective customers. Whether users are furnishing their homes, shopping for clothes or selling used electronic devices, the platform enables them to discover products and engage with people offering them.
Meta also advised users to prioritise safety when conducting transactions on Marketplace.
Buyers are encouraged to review sellers’ profiles, other listings and available ratings before proceeding with a transaction.
For in-person exchanges, users should arrange meetings in public, well-lit locations during daylight hours and inform someone they trust about their plans. Where possible, buyers should inspect items before making payments.
The company also advised users to avoid payment links shared in chats and instead access payment services through official websites or applications. Users who encounter suspicious activity should discontinue the transaction and report the listing or individual to Facebook.
As Facebook Marketplace marks its 10th anniversary, the platform continues to provide Nigerians with opportunities to discover products, sell items and connect with prospective buyers within their communities.
