Complete Guide to Selling on Tambala Market
Version 1.0 | January 2026
1. About Tambala Market
What is Tambala Market?
Tambala Market is Malawi's online marketplace that allows people to buy and sell products safely and conveniently. The platform brings together buyers and verified sellers in one trusted place where customers can browse products, read reviews, pay using Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba, or bank transfer, and receive their items through delivery or pickup.
For sellers, Tambala Market makes it possible to reach customers across Malawi without renting a physical shop or managing complex systems.
💰 Tambala Market applies a 3% commission per successful sale.
Why Sell on Tambala Market?
Tambala Market is built to help sellers grow with low risk and high reach. You only pay 3% after you make a sale. No listing fees, no monthly fees, and no hidden charges.
- Sell beyond your location - Reach customers across Malawi without opening new shops or traveling.
- Be easy to find and easy to pay - Customers discover your products quickly and pay using methods they already trust.
- Deliver in a way that works for you - Offer pickup, your own delivery, or courier — whatever fits your business.
- Get paid safely and reliably - We handle payments securely using Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba, or bank transfer.
Platform Overview
Categories
Over 15 categories designed for Malawi, including Electronics, Fashion, Household Goods, and Agricultural Inputs.
Payment Methods
Airtel Money, TNM Mpamba, and Bank Transfer.
Delivery Options
Customer Pickup, Seller Delivery, or Courier Services.
Product Approval
Usually completed within 30 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Getting Started
Who can sell on Tambala Market?
Individuals above the age of 18 years, small businesses, registered companies, home-based sellers, mobile vendors, farmers, and artisans.
Note: If you're eligible, go ahead and register! Just make sure you have the items in stock before listing—they must be ready for your customers, as Tambala Market is not a "taking orders platform".
2.1 Creating Your Account
To register as a seller:
- Visit www.tambalamarket.store/auth/register or click "Sell on Tambala" on the homepage.
- Select Seller Account Type.
- Fill in your details, including name, email, phone number, password, business name, district, and product categories.
- Accept the Terms of Service and Seller Agreement.
- Verify your email using the confirmation link sent to you.
After registration, you will be directed to your Seller Dashboard with an onboarding checklist.
2.2 Seller Onboarding Checklist
The onboarding checklist helps you complete important steps in the correct order. It is recommended to complete Identity Verification and Delivery Settings first.
2.2.1 Identity Verification
Identity verification is required before listing products. It helps build buyer trust and meets regulatory requirements.
To verify:
- Click on the Checklist in the dashboard or go to Dashboard → Settings → Verification
- Select your ID type (National ID, Passport, or Driver's License)
- Enter details exactly as shown on the document
- Upload clear photos (front and back for National ID, maximum size 10MB)
- Submit for review
Approval usually takes less than one hour.
2.2.2 Delivery Settings
Tambala Market lets you decide how customers receive your products. You can use one option or combine several.
Customer Pickup
Customers collect from you at set times and locations. Example: Pickup from 1:00–2:00 PM and 5:00–5:30 PM.
Seller Delivery
You deliver within areas you choose. Set your delivery zones, fees, and delivery times. Example: Lilongwe City Centre covering Area 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 43, and 44.
Courier Delivery
For customers outside your area, use courier services you trust. When customers choose courier delivery at checkout, their address and contact details are sent to you together with order confirmation.
💡 Why this matters: More delivery options make it easier for customers to buy from you—and easier buying means more sales.
3. Store Setup
Business Information
Go to Dashboard → Settings → Business Information. Write a short, clear description explaining what you sell, what makes your business unique, and why customers should trust you.
Store Branding
Upload a square logo (recommended size: 400 × 400 px). Your logo appears when your store or products are shared on social media.
Payment Details
Add a mobile money wallet or bank account. This is required before you can withdraw earnings.
4. Product Management
Creating Product Listings
Go to Dashboard → Products → Add New Product or simply click Add Product in the dashboard.
You will add:
- Product name and category
- Clear description
- Price and stock (per item or per unit such as kg, meter, liter, bag, or bundle)
- At least three product images
- Variants such as size or color, if applicable
Submit the product for review. Approval usually takes 30–60 minutes.
If there are issues—such as poor-quality images or restricted items—the product may be rejected or returned for resubmission. Please review the list of prohibited items in our Terms of Service before listing.
Editing Your Products
You can update your products anytime. How changes are handled depends on what you're editing:
✅ Changes that apply immediately
- • Price
- • Stock
- • Description
- • Discount
- • Condition
⏳ Changes that need admin approval
- • Product name
- • Images
- • Category
- • Variants
This system lets you run your store efficiently while keeping the platform safe and reliable for buyers.
5. Order Management
Sellers can:
- Receive notifications for new orders
- Update order status (Processing → Ready for Pickup → Picked Up → Completed)
- Fulfill orders based on the chosen delivery method
- Handle return requests within the 2-day return window
Customers are notified whenever an order status changes.
6. Marketing & Promotion
Use built-in share buttons to promote your products and store on WhatsApp, Facebook, and other platforms.
You can also:
- Run discounts and promotions
- Create and share product collections such as "Summer collection" or "Winter essentials"
- Improve visibility by maintaining high-quality listings and good service
7. Analytics & Reporting
Monitor your performance in real time.
Recommended Targets:
95%+
Order Fulfillment
<5 hrs
Response Time
<5%
Return Rate
4+ ⭐
Average Rating
8. Earnings & Payouts
Tambala Market believes in being clear and transparent about how sellers get paid.
When are funds available?
Customer payments are held securely until:
- ✓ Delivery or pickup is confirmed
- ✓ A 2-day return window has passed
Note: Orders with statuses other than Delivered, Picked Up, or Completed do not qualify for payout.
Weekly Payouts (Standard)
- • Payout day: Every Friday at 3:00 PM (CAT)
- • Minimum amount: MWK 20,000
- • Fee: Free
- • Below minimum? Rolls over to next Friday
On-Demand Payouts (Optional)
- • Processing time: Within 2 hours
- • Processing fee: MWK 5,000
- • Available once balance is eligible
- • Useful for urgent needs
Understanding the Fees
There are two types of fees when you receive your earnings:
Tambala Market Commission: 3%
This is our platform fee, deducted from each sale.
Transaction Processing Fees (varies)
These are standard transaction processing fees charged by payment processors when we send your payout. They are not Tambala Market fees.
Example: Selling MWK 100,000 Worth of Products
Step 1: Tambala Market Commission
Step 2: Withdrawal (Choose One)
📱 Mobile Money Withdrawal
*Transaction fee charged by provider, not Tambala
🏦 Bank Account Withdrawal
*Transaction fee charged by proviser, not Tambala
✓ You keep approximately 94-95% of your total sales!
💡 Helpful Pricing Tip: Many sellers add around 5-6% to their product prices to cover all fees. For example, a product worth MWK 10,000 may be listed at MWK 10,600. This is optional—you control your pricing.
9. Best Practices
Use clear, well-lit product photos
Show your products from multiple angles
Write detailed and honest descriptions
Include all relevant product information
Respond to customers within 5 hours
Quick responses build trust and loyalty
Keep stock information accurate
Avoid disappointing customers with out-of-stock items
10. Troubleshooting & Support
Use the Help Center, submit support tickets, or contact the support team directly.
Most issues are resolved within 5–8 hours.
11. Quick Reference & Appendix
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for choosing Tambala Market
We are committed to supporting your success. Together, we are building Malawi's online marketplace.