Marketplace App Development

App name : Somba

Project Objective

The primary objective of the Somba Marketplace project is to develop a mobile application that connects buyers and sellers across multiple African countries, enabling seamless transactions for a wide range of products. The app will include secure fintech payment integrations (MPESA, AirtelMoney, etc.), multilingual support (English & French), and a user-friendly interface.

Key Goals:

1. Create a digital platform where users can list, buy, and sell products in multiple categories (e.g., home, vehicles, clothing, electronics, etc.).
2. Ensure secure payments via MPESA, AirtelMoney, and other fintech services directly linked to user accounts.
3. Support multi-language functionality (English & French) to cater to users across the Congo Basin region.
4. Enable seamless buyer-seller communication through in-app messaging.
5. Ensure scalability and security to handle high volumes of transactions and user activity.

Project Tasks, Activities, and Deliverables

Tasks & Activities for Students

Students involved in this project will engage in multiple software development tasks, including:

1. Market Research & Planning

• Conduct research on existing African marketplace apps.
• Identify key user needs and challenges.
• Define the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) for Somba Marketplace.

2. App Design & Wireframing

• Design UI/UX wireframes using Figma or Adobe XD.
• Define the user journey (from browsing to payment).

3. Backend Development

• Set up a cloud-based backend (Firebase, Django, or Node.js).
• Design database schema for storing user profiles, products, orders, and transactions.

4. Frontend Development (Mobile App – Android)

• Implement the user interface using Kotlin (Jetpack Compose) or Java (XML layouts).
• Develop registration & login pages with email/phone authentication.
• Implement product listing, search, and filtering functionalities.
• Develop cart & checkout features with payment integration.

5. Payment Gateway Integration

• Integrate MPESA API, AirtelMoney API, Paystack, and other payment options.
• Implement transaction tracking and security features.

6. Multilingual Support

• Implement language translation options (English & French).
• Store language-specific text in XML or cloud databases.

7. In-App Messaging & Notifications

• Develop a chat system for buyers and sellers.
• Implement push notifications for order updates and promotions.

8. Testing & Debugging

• Perform unit testing, UI testing, and payment integration testing.
• Debug and resolve issues.

9. Deployment & Documentation

• Deploy the app on the Google Play Store.
• Create a user guide and technical documentation.

Project outcomes & deliverables

At the end of the project, students are expected to deliver:

1. Functional Marketplace App

• Android mobile application with user registration, product listing, secure payments, chat system, and order management.

2. Project Report & documentation

• Technical documentation explaining the project structure, API integrations, database schema, and security measures.
• User guide detailing how sellers and buyers can use the app.

3. UI/UX Wireframes & Design

• Wireframes and final UI designs in Figma/Adobe XD.

4. Payment Integration Module

• Working MPESA & AirtelMoney integration, allowing seamless transactions.

5. Multilingual Support Feature

• Full app translation in English & French with easy language switching.

6. Codebase & Git Repository

• Well-structured GitHub repository containing clean, commented, and modular code.

Project Completion Criteria

The project is considered successfully completed when:

✅ The Somba Marketplace app is fully functional with secure user authentication, product listing, and payment transactions.

✅ The app passes all tests (including unit testing, integration testing, and security validation).

✅ The app is deployed on the Google Play Store for public use.

✅ A final project report and documentation are submitted.