TERMS OF USE

1. ABOUT ECOWAS MARKETPLACE

ECOWAS Marketplace is an online marketplace designed to help buyers, sellers, businesses and other users discover, advertise, communicate about and arrange transactions involving goods, property and services.

The Platform may provide features including:

• Product and service listings;
• Business profiles;
• Search and filtering;
• Seller and buyer accounts;
• Internal messaging;
• Telephone and WhatsApp contact options;
• Featured listings and advertising;
• Auctions and bidding;
• Notifications;
• Country and location-based marketplace features.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, ECOWAS Marketplace is a marketplace platform and not the seller, buyer, manufacturer, owner, agent, broker, transporter, insurer, financier or guarantor of goods or services listed by users.

2. ELIGIBILITY

You may use ECOWAS Marketplace only if you are legally permitted to enter into agreements and transactions under the laws applicable to you.

Unless a particular feature expressly provides otherwise, users must be at least 18 years old to create an account, sell, purchase, advertise, communicate for commercial purposes, or participate in auctions.

Businesses and organizations must ensure that the person creating or operating the account has authority to represent the business or organization.

We may request additional information or verification where reasonably necessary to protect users and the integrity of the Platform.

3. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION

When registering, you agree to provide accurate, current and complete information.

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your password;
• Keeping your account information accurate;
• Protecting access to your account;
• Not sharing your account credentials;
• Immediately notifying us if you suspect unauthorized access.

You must not create an account using another person's identity or impersonate another person or business.

We may suspend or terminate accounts that contain false, misleading or fraudulent information.

4. BUYERS AND SELLERS

Users may act as buyers, sellers or both, subject to applicable laws and Platform rules.

A seller is solely responsible for:

• The legality and ownership of items offered;
• The accuracy of listing information;
• The condition and availability of goods or services;
• Pricing;
• Taxes and applicable charges;
• Delivery arrangements;
• Warranties or guarantees offered by the seller;
• Returns, refunds or exchanges where applicable;
• Compliance with applicable laws.

A buyer is responsible for:

• Reviewing listing information;
• Asking appropriate questions before purchasing;
• Confirming the identity and credibility of a seller;
• Confirming price, condition and availability;
• Agreeing delivery or collection arrangements;
• Making payments through an agreed and lawful method;
• Complying with applicable laws.

Users should exercise appropriate caution before sending money, goods or personal information to another user.

5. LISTINGS

Sellers must provide truthful and sufficiently accurate descriptions of their listings.

A listing should accurately describe, where applicable:

• Product or service;
• Condition;
• Price;
• Location;
• Quantity;
• Relevant photographs;
• Important defects or limitations;
• Delivery or collection arrangements.

Users must not deliberately publish misleading photographs, prices, descriptions or availability.

ECOWAS Marketplace may edit, reject, remove, restrict or suspend listings that violate these Terms, applicable law or Platform policies.

6. FREE AND FEATURED LISTINGS

The Platform may provide free and paid listing options.

Unless otherwise announced by ECOWAS Marketplace:

Free listings:

• Maximum of 3 active listings per user;
• Maximum of 3 photographs per listing.

Featured listings:

• Maximum of 10 active listings per user;
• Maximum of 5 photographs per listing.

We may modify these limits, pricing and promotional offers by publishing updated information on the Platform.

7. FEATURED ADVERTISING

ECOWAS Marketplace may offer paid featured placement, business advertising, banners or other promotional services.

Payment for promotional placement does not guarantee:

• A sale;
• A particular number of views;
• A particular number of enquiries;
• A particular search ranking;
• A particular financial return.

We may reject advertising that violates these Terms, applicable law or our advertising policies.

8. AUCTIONS

Where auction functionality is available, additional auction rules apply.

Auction sellers must provide accurate information and must have the legal right and authority to sell the auctioned item.

Auction listings may include:

• Starting price;
• Minimum bid increment;
• Auction start time;
• Auction closing time;
• Applicable reserve price;
• Other auction conditions.

Only valid bids submitted before the official closing time will be considered.

ECOWAS Marketplace may automatically close an auction using the Platform's server-side time.

The highest valid bid at closing will ordinarily determine the winning bidder, subject to the applicable auction rules and any reserve-price conditions.

Users must not:

• Place fake bids;
• Bid on their own listings;
• Manipulate bids;
• Collude with other bidders;
• Interfere with another user's participation;
• Use multiple accounts to manipulate an auction.

Where applicable, ECOWAS Marketplace may charge a platform verification or auction fee calculated as a percentage of the successful bid.

Unless a separate payment or escrow arrangement is expressly offered by ECOWAS Marketplace, ECOWAS Marketplace does not hold the purchase price on behalf of the buyer or seller.

Auction users remain responsible for completing the underlying transaction lawfully.

9. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

Users must not use ECOWAS Marketplace for unlawful, fraudulent, deceptive or abusive activities.

Prohibited activities include, among other things:

• Fraud or attempted fraud;
• Sale of stolen goods;
• Counterfeit goods;
• Identity theft or impersonation;
• Money laundering;
• Unauthorized financial services;
• Misleading or fraudulent advertisements;
• Harassment or threats;
• Spam;
• Malicious software;
• Attempts to compromise the Platform;
• Manipulation of reviews, bids, listings or accounts;
• Circumvention of Platform security;
• Activities prohibited by applicable law.

ECOWAS Marketplace may maintain a separate prohibited-items policy and may update it as laws and Platform requirements develop.

10. USER COMMUNICATIONS

The Platform may provide internal messaging and may allow users to contact sellers through telephone or WhatsApp where the seller has provided or enabled those contact methods.

Users are responsible for communications they send.

Do not send:

• Passwords;
• Banking credentials;
• Authentication codes;
• Unnecessary sensitive personal information;
• Fraudulent payment instructions;
• Threatening or abusive messages.

We may investigate reported communications where reasonably necessary to protect users, prevent fraud, comply with law or enforce these Terms.

11. TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN USERS

ECOWAS Marketplace facilitates discovery and communication between users.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, ECOWAS Marketplace is not a party to the contract between a buyer and seller.

The buyer and seller are responsible for agreeing:

• Price;
• Payment;
• Delivery or collection;
• Inspection;
• Warranty;
• Returns;
• Refunds;
• Taxes;
• Other transaction conditions.

Users should independently verify important information before completing a transaction.

12. PAYMENTS

Where payment services are offered, they may be provided by third-party payment providers.

Payment transactions may be subject to the payment provider's own terms, fees and privacy policies.

ECOWAS Marketplace does not request or store payment credentials unless the relevant payment service is specifically designed and authorized to do so.

Users must not falsely claim that a payment has been made or received.

13. FEES AND COMMISSIONS

Certain Platform features may involve fees.

Applicable fees will be displayed before the relevant paid service is confirmed.

Fees may include:

• Featured-listing fees;
• Advertising fees;
• Business-profile fees;
• Auction fees;
• Applicable transaction or verification fees.

We may change fees prospectively by publishing updated pricing.

14. DELIVERY AND LOGISTICS

Unless expressly stated otherwise, ECOWAS Marketplace does not guarantee delivery.

Buyers and sellers are responsible for agreeing appropriate delivery, collection, inspection and transportation arrangements.

Where third-party logistics providers are used, their own terms may apply.

15. USER CONTENT

Users retain ownership of content they lawfully submit, including photographs, descriptions, logos and other materials ("User Content").

By submitting User Content to ECOWAS Marketplace, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, display, format, distribute and promote that content as reasonably necessary to operate, improve and market the Platform.

You represent that:

• You own or have permission to use the content;
• The content does not infringe another person's rights;
• The content is not unlawful;
• The content is not deliberately misleading.

We may remove User Content that violates these Terms or applicable law.

16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The ECOWAS Marketplace name, logo, branding, website design, software, graphics, text and other Platform materials are owned by or licensed to ECOWAS Marketplace unless otherwise stated.

You may not copy, reproduce, modify, distribute, sell or commercially exploit Platform materials without written permission, except where permitted by law.

17. PRIVACY

Our collection and use of personal information is described in our Privacy Policy.

By using ECOWAS Marketplace, you acknowledge that your information may be processed as described in that Privacy Policy.

18. REPORTING AND MODERATION

Users may report listings, accounts or communications that they believe violate these Terms or applicable law.

We may:

• Review reports;
• Request additional information;
• Remove or restrict listings;
• Suspend accounts;
• Disable features;
• Preserve relevant information where legally permitted or required;
• Refer suspected unlawful conduct to appropriate authorities where appropriate.

We do not guarantee that every violation will be detected or prevented.

19. VERIFICATION

ECOWAS Marketplace may introduce seller, business, telephone, identity or other verification features.

A verification badge means only that the specified verification process has been completed.

Verification does not guarantee:

• The quality of goods;
• Seller honesty;
• Product ownership;
• Successful delivery;
• Transaction performance;
• Financial reliability.

20. DISCLAIMER

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ECOWAS Marketplace provides the Platform on an "as available" and "as is" basis.

We do not guarantee that:

• Every listing is accurate;
• Every seller is genuine;
• Every buyer is genuine;
• Goods are authentic;
• Goods will meet expectations;
• Transactions will be completed;
• Users will receive payment;
• Products will be delivered;
• The Platform will always be available or error-free.

Users should independently verify material information before entering into a transaction.

21. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, ECOWAS Marketplace shall not be responsible for losses arising directly or indirectly from:

• Transactions between users;
• Misleading listings created by users;
• Fraud committed by users;
• Failure to deliver goods;
• Defective goods;
• Disputes between buyers and sellers;
• Third-party payment services;
• Third-party logistics services;
• Unauthorized user conduct;
• Internet, telecommunications or service interruptions.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.

22. INDEMNITY

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless ECOWAS Marketplace and its operators, employees and service providers from claims, losses, liabilities and reasonable costs arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms;
• Your User Content;
• Your unlawful conduct;
• Your transactions with other users;
• Your infringement of another person's rights.

This provision does not apply to the extent that the relevant loss was caused by our own unlawful conduct or liability that cannot legally be excluded.

23. ACCOUNT SUSPENSION AND TERMINATION

We may suspend, restrict or terminate an account where we reasonably believe that:

• These Terms have been violated;
• Fraud or abuse has occurred;
• The account presents a security risk;
• The account is being used unlawfully;
• A user has provided materially false information;
• Suspension is necessary to protect other users or the Platform.

Where reasonably practicable, we may provide notice and an opportunity to resolve the issue.

24. AVAILABILITY AND CHANGES

We may modify, suspend or discontinue parts of the Platform.

We may also introduce new services or modify existing services.

We will make reasonable efforts to communicate material changes.

25. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

The Platform may contain links or integrations to third-party services, including payment providers, WhatsApp, social-media platforms, mapping services, analytics providers and hosting services.

Third-party services are governed by their own terms and policies.

ECOWAS Marketplace is not responsible for the independent operation, content or policies of third-party services.

26. CROSS-BORDER USE

ECOWAS Marketplace may be used by people and businesses operating in multiple West African countries.

Users are responsible for complying with laws applicable to their activities, including laws relating to:

• Consumer protection;
• Tax;
• Import and export;
• Customs;
• Product standards;
• Property;
• Business registration;
• Licensing;
• Transportation;
• Payments;
• Data protection.

A listing being visible on the Platform does not mean that the transaction is lawful in every country.

27. DISPUTES BETWEEN USERS

We encourage users to resolve transaction disputes directly and in good faith.

ECOWAS Marketplace may provide a reporting or dispute-support process, but unless expressly agreed otherwise, we are not the final decision-maker in private commercial disputes between users.

Nothing in these Terms prevents a user from exercising rights available under applicable law.

28. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms shall be interpreted subject to the laws of The Gambia, except where mandatory laws of another jurisdiction apply.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to deprive a consumer of mandatory legal protections that cannot lawfully be excluded.

29. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS

We may update these Terms from time to time.

The updated version will be published on the Platform with a revised "Last Updated" date.

Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of an updated version constitutes acceptance to the extent permitted by law.

30. CONTACT

For questions, complaints or legal notices relating to these Terms:

ECOWAS Marketplace

Website: https://ecowasmarketplace.lovable.app

Email: bashyfiles@gmail.com

Telephone: +220-877711884

Business Address: Nyambai Jokor,

By Jah Oil, Brikama. The Gambia

31. ACCEPTANCE

By clicking "Create Account", "Register", "Post Listing", "Place Bid", or otherwise using ECOWAS Marketplace, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

ECOWAS Marketplace

Buy. Sell. Bid. Connect.