💡 Why Irish creators should try reaching Ethiopian brands on Snapchat
If you make fitness gear reviews and want to tap fresh African brands, Ethiopia is worth a look. The market’s e‑commerce scene has been growing fast — Ethio Telecom launched a national marketplace, Zemen Gebeya, in 2025 and it’s tied into Telebirr mobile payments, which lowers friction for small businesses (reference material). That means more SMEs selling locally and testing cross‑border partnerships.
For creators in Ireland, Snapchat can be a nimble channel: brands in the region use Stories and quick DMs to test promos and influencer collabs, and celebrities in West Africa still break news on Snapchat (for example, Nigerian stars shared big life events via Snapchat stories — RipplesNigeria reported Adekunle Gold using the platform). Use that immediacy. This guide walks you through practical steps: who to target, how to find Ethiopian fitness equipment makers on and off Snapchat, outreach scripts that work, payment and shipping realities, and how to pitch a review that gets toys — sorry, kettlebells — sent your way.
We’ll root this in what’s actually happening on the ground: rising regional sportswear momentum in West Africa (Naija brands like NaijaFit show how identity‑driven athletic labels grow via Instagram, WhatsApp and local marketplaces), plus Ethiopia’s own marketplace and payment rails that make deals possible. Expect to mix platform sleuthing with old‑school networking. Read on for a tactical map, a snapshot table comparing outreach channels, and scripts you can use tonight.
📊 Channel comparison: Where to find and close deals with Ethiopian brands
| 🧩 Metric | Snapchat | Zemen Gebeya / Telebirr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Monthly Active | 1.000.000 | 1.800.000 | 600.000 |
| 📈 Discovery Ease | 60% | 85% | 50% |
| 💬 Direct Messaging | Fast (stories→DM) | Fast + business inbox | Via marketplace chat |
| 💰 Payment Readiness | Low (depends) | Medium (business accounts) | High (Telebirr integrated) |
| 🚚 Shipping & Logistics | Variable | Variable | Local-first, scalable |
| 🔒 Trust / Verification | Low (need checks) | Medium | Medium‑High |
This table shows Snapchat is great for speedy, informal outreach and building rapport via Stories, but Instagram and Ethiopia’s Zemen Gebeya marketplace are stronger for discovery, payment and logistics. A hybrid approach — find brands on Instagram or Zemen Gebeya, then move to Snapchat for quick creative calls — nets the best results.
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💡 How to find Ethiopian fitness brands (quick wins)
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Search Zemen Gebeya first: since Ethio Telecom integrated it with Telebirr in 2025, many SMEs list there. Look for categories: Sports, Fitness, Activewear. Use marketplace filters and saved seller IDs.
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Instagram + Facebook: many Ethiopian SMEs use Instagram for visuals and Facebook for community. Search Amharic terms for “fitness”, “gym equipment”, “sportswear” plus English phrases. Profiles often list contact methods including Snapchat usernames.
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LinkedIn and WhatsApp: many owner‑operators list business numbers on LinkedIn; WhatsApp is a preferred chat app for confirmations and invoices.
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Snapchat sleuthing: when a brand profile links a Snapchat, add them and watch Stories for product drops or stock photos. Stories often include swipe‑up links or short promo codes.
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Regional cues: West African sportswear trends (NaijaFit, TruActive, Eleven Eleven) show there’s appetite for identity‑led athletic gear — use that as a pitch angle when talking to Ethiopian labels about cross‑market interest (reference material on Naija brands).
✉️ Outreach scripts that get replies (use short, confident messages)
Initial Snapchat DM (first contact — keep under 120 characters):
– “Hi — I’m [Name], Irish fitness creator. Love your kit on IG. Fancy a short review collab? I’ll film a 2‑min demo + story. Fee or sample? Cheers.”
Follow‑up if no reply after 3 days:
– “Still keen — happy to do a paid review or trade for kit. Quick idea: ‘5 ways this bench beats budget gear’ — 30s Story + 2‑min feed vid.”
If they prefer marketplace chat (Zemen Gebeya):
– “Hi — I’m [Name] from Ireland. I can review your product for an international audience. Can we agree on sample shipping, fee and payment method (Telebirr/PayPal/transfer)?”
Tip: Always offer clear deliverables (stories, feed post, links), specific timelines (48–72 hours), and options (paid vs sample). Small brands often choose sample + commission.
📦 Payments, shipping and contracts — what to expect
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Payment rails: many Ethiopian SMEs will prefer Telebirr for domestic sales because of Ethio Telecom integrations; for international payments expect PayPal, Wise, or direct bank transfer negotiations. Agree currency and fees up front.
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Shipping: brands might only ship domestically. Offer to cover international shipping costs or propose dropship via a local freight forwarder. Small gyms and makers often prefer sending to a logistic hub in Addis Ababa.
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Contracts: keep a simple 1‑page agreement covering deliverables, usage rights, timelines, payment and returns. Email is fine; a signed screenshot works for many SMEs.
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Taxes & customs: note import duties when receiving samples in Ireland — budget for VAT and customs charges or ask the brand to ship DDP (delivered duties paid).
📈 Pitch angle ideas that Ethiopian brands will love
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Identity & design: pitch how you’ll highlight local craftsmanship and design — referencing how Naija branding sells identity across Africa could be persuasive; brands want cultural stories that travel.
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Local proof: offer a short case study concept — “local gym test: 30 sessions in 4 weeks” — show durability, not just first impressions.
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Cross‑market test: propose a collaborative post comparing Ethiopian gear to West African makers like NaijaFit; brands often like regional comparisons that elevate their status.
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Metrics: promise simple KPIs — Story reach, swipe‑ups, link clicks, and 30‑day sales uplift tracking.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I DM Ethiopian brands on Snapchat directly?
💬 Yes — Snapchat DMs work if the brand is active. Add them, watch a couple of Stories, then send a short pitch. If no reply, move to Instagram or marketplace chat.
🛠️ What’s the safest way to get paid by an Ethiopian small business?
💬 Ask for PayPal or Wise up front; where only Telebirr is available, request documentation of payment and consider escrow via a third party if the fee is large.
🧠 How do Nigerian sportswear trends help my pitch to Ethiopian brands?
💬 Use examples like NaijaFit to show demand for African‑identity sportswear. Brands respond to regional success stories — it frames the review as a gateway to wider markets.
🧩 Final Thoughts…
Snapchat can be a surprisingly effective door into Ethiopian brands — fast, informal and creative — but it’s rarely the only path. Use marketplaces like Zemen Gebeya and Instagram to verify sellers, handle payments, and sort logistics. Pitch culturally smart review concepts (durability + identity) and set clear payment/shipping terms from the start. Blend speed (Snapchat) with structure (marketplace contracts) and you’ll close more sample reviews without the usual faff.
📚 Further Reading
Here are 3 recent articles that give more context to this topic — all selected from verified sources. Feel free to explore 👇
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🗞️ geeky_gadgets – 📅 2026-01-08
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🔸 The Vogue Business TikTok Trend Tracker
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🗞️ koreatimes – 📅 2026-01-08
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😅 A Quick Shameless Plug (Hope You Don’t Mind)
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📌 Disclaimer
This article mixes on‑the‑record info from industry reporting (e.g., Ethio Telecom’s Zemen Gebeya integration) and public social signals (Snapchat usage examples). It’s guidance, not legal or financial advice — double‑check payments, customs, and contract terms before you act.

