Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using StoreColoni. By creating an account or using our platform you agree to be bound by these terms.
1. About StoreColoni
StoreColoni ("we", "us", "our") is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that enables merchants ("Vendors") across Africa and the Middle East to create online storefronts and receive orders via WhatsApp. Our registered address is available on request at support@storecoloni.com.
StoreColoni operates as a technology intermediary only. We are not a party to any transaction between a Vendor and their customers ("Buyers").
2. Definitions
- Platform — the StoreColoni website, dashboard, storefront infrastructure, and all related APIs and services.
- Vendor — any individual or business that registers an account to operate a storefront.
- Buyer — any person who visits a Vendor's storefront and places an order.
- Subscription — a paid plan granting access to Platform features beyond the free trial period.
- Content — any text, images, product listings, prices, descriptions, or other material uploaded or published by a Vendor.
3. Eligibility
To register as a Vendor you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is higher;
- Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract;
- Operate a lawful business in your country of registration;
- Provide accurate, complete, and current registration information;
- Not have previously had a StoreColoni account suspended or terminated for violations.
4. Account Registration & Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must notify us immediately at support@storecoloni.com of any unauthorised use. We recommend enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) which is available in your Security settings.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that show signs of fraud, impersonation, or policy violations without prior notice.
5. Free Trial & Subscriptions
New Vendor accounts receive a 30-day free trial with full access to Platform features. No payment method is required to begin a trial.
After the trial period, continued access to the Platform requires a paid Subscription at the rate applicable to your country's currency. Current pricing is displayed on our Pricing page. Subscriptions are billed monthly. Failure to pay will result in your storefront being suspended until payment is made.
Subscription fees are non-refundable except where required by law (see Section 14 — Consumer Rights below). We do not charge commissions on any transactions between Vendors and Buyers.
6. Vendor Responsibilities
6.1 Accurate Listings
Vendors must ensure all product listings are accurate, current, and not misleading. Prices must be displayed in the correct currency. Out-of-stock items must be promptly removed or marked unavailable.
6.2 Lawful Products & Services
Vendors may not list or sell:
- Counterfeit, pirated, or unlicensed goods;
- Controlled substances, narcotics, or unregulated pharmaceuticals;
- Weapons, ammunition, or dangerous goods without proper licensing;
- Adult content or sexually explicit material;
- Items that violate intellectual property rights;
- Any goods or services prohibited by the laws of the Vendor's country or the Buyer's country.
6.3 Tax & Regulatory Compliance
Vendors are solely responsible for collecting, remitting, and reporting applicable taxes including VAT, GST, WHT, and any other levies required in their jurisdiction. StoreColoni does not calculate or collect taxes on your behalf. Vendors in Nigeria must comply with FIRS regulations; South African Vendors with SARS VAT requirements; Kenyan Vendors with KRA obligations; and so on for every jurisdiction in which they operate.
6.4 Customer Service
Vendors are responsible for fulfilling orders, handling returns and refunds, and resolving disputes with Buyers in accordance with applicable consumer protection laws in their jurisdiction (see Section 14).
6.5 Data Protection
Vendors who collect personal data from Buyers through the Platform act as independent data controllers and must comply with the applicable data protection legislation in their country (see Section 13).
7. Platform Availability & Limitations
We aim to provide 99% uptime but do not guarantee uninterrupted availability. We may suspend the Platform for maintenance, security updates, or circumstances beyond our control. We will give reasonable advance notice where possible.
StoreColoni is not responsible for losses caused by internet outages, WhatsApp service interruptions, third-party payment provider failures, or events outside our reasonable control (force majeure).
8. Intellectual Property
The StoreColoni brand, logo, software, and platform design are our exclusive intellectual property protected by copyright and trademark law. You may not copy, reverse-engineer, or resell any part of the Platform.
Vendors retain ownership of all Content they upload. By uploading Content you grant StoreColoni a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display, host, and transmit that Content solely for the purpose of operating the Platform. This licence ends when you delete the Content or close your account.
9. Prohibited Conduct
You must not:
- Use the Platform for spam, phishing, or fraudulent purposes;
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to other accounts or systems;
- Upload malware, viruses, or malicious code;
- Scrape, crawl, or extract data from the Platform without written permission;
- Misrepresent your identity, location, or business;
- Use the Platform to harass, abuse, or harm any individual.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law:
- StoreColoni's total liability to any Vendor for any claim shall not exceed the total Subscription fees paid by that Vendor in the 3 months immediately preceding the claim;
- We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits or business opportunities;
- We are not liable for any loss arising from a Vendor's failure to comply with applicable laws.
Nothing in these Terms limits liability for death, personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless StoreColoni, its officers, employees, and partners from any claims, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your Content; (c) your breach of these Terms; or (d) your violation of any law or third-party rights.
12. Privacy
Your use of the Platform is subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. We process personal data in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019, South Africa's POPIA, Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019, Ghana's Data Protection Act 2012, Egypt's Personal Data Protection Law No. 151/2020, and other applicable African data protection laws.
13. Data Protection for Vendors
When Vendors collect Buyer personal data through the Platform, they act as independent data controllers. Vendors must:
- Have a lawful basis for processing Buyer data;
- Display a privacy policy on their storefront (use our auto-generated privacy policy as a starting point);
- Honour Buyer data access, correction, and deletion requests within the timelines required by applicable law;
- Not use Buyer data for any purpose beyond fulfilling orders without explicit consent.
14. Consumer Rights by Country
StoreColoni supports Vendors in complying with local consumer protection laws. Key frameworks include:
| Country | Key Consumer Protection Law | Key Vendor Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 | Accurate pricing, refund policy, no misleading advertising |
| South Africa | Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 | Right to return within 5 days (direct marketing), implied warranty |
| Kenya | Consumer Protection Act 2012 | Fair contract terms, clear pricing, complaint handling |
| Ghana | Consumer Protection Agency Act 2022 | Product safety standards, honest advertising |
| Egypt | Consumer Protection Law No. 181/2018 | Price disclosure, after-sales service commitments |
| Tanzania | Fair Competition Act 2003 | No deceptive trade practices |
| Rwanda | Law on Consumer Protection No. 31/2023 | Clear product information, safety standards |
| Uganda | Consumer Protection Guidelines (UNBS) | Product quality, accurate labelling |
15. Termination
You may close your account at any time from your billing settings. We may suspend or terminate your account immediately if you breach these Terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or if required by law.
Upon termination: your storefront goes offline, your data is retained for 90 days (to allow you to export it), and then permanently deleted. Subscription fees already paid are non-refundable.
16. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Disputes will first be attempted to be resolved by good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be referred to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act (Cap. A18) of Nigeria, or through relevant alternative dispute resolution mechanisms available in the Vendor's jurisdiction.
Vendors in South Africa may additionally escalate disputes to the National Consumer Commission. Kenyan Vendors may contact the Competition Authority of Kenya.
17. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify you by email and/or a prominent notice in the dashboard at least 14 days before material changes take effect. Continued use of the Platform after that date constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
18. Contact Us
Questions about these Terms? Contact us at:
Email: support@storecoloni.com
WhatsApp: Available through the Support section in your dashboard.