Terms of Service — version 1.0

1. Who we are

Sokoni ("we", "us") operates the Sokoni marketplace app and website, connecting buyers and sellers in Tanzania. These Terms govern your use of Sokoni.

2. Your account

You may browse Sokoni without an account. Creating an account (via phone number, Google, or Apple) is required to place an order, message a seller, or save favourites. You're responsible for keeping your account credentials secure and for all activity under your account.

3. Buying on Sokoni

Sokoni is a marketplace connecting buyers and sellers — we are not a party to the sale itself. Orders, pricing, delivery and payment terms are agreed between you and the seller. Payment on the platform today is cash on delivery or pay on pickup only.

4. Selling on Sokoni

To sell, you must complete seller registration, including providing a valid NIDA (National Identification Authority) number and a photo of your ID, plus a business or trading licence. This information is used solely for manual identity and business verification by our team and is never shown publicly. Submitting false or fraudulent identity or licence information will result in account suspension or termination.

Your shop and products may be visible to buyers once your account is verified. Until verification, your products remain hidden from public search and browsing, though you may continue building your shop.

You agree to list only genuine business content — products you're actually selling, your shop, and your work. Personal, non-business content is not permitted.

5. Reviews

Buyers may leave a review only after completing an order with a seller. Reviews must reflect a genuine experience. Sellers may reply once to each review. We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate these Terms.

6. Prohibited conduct

You may not: list prohibited or illegal goods; impersonate another person or business; harass, threaten, or abuse other users; submit fraudulent reviews, reports, or verification documents; or attempt to circumvent our moderation or verification systems.

7. Content moderation

We may hide, warn, suspend, or ban accounts that violate these Terms, with reasons communicated to the affected user. Content reported and upheld three or more times is automatically hidden pending review.

8. Location and communication

Some features (nearby search, delivery) use your device location, which you can decline — Sokoni falls back to manual region/district selection. In-app messages between buyers and sellers may be read by our moderation team if reported.

9. Termination

You may stop using Sokoni at any time. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

10. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will require you to accept the new version before continuing to use Sokoni.

11. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania.

12. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to support@sokoni.co.tz.