Our Story
If you've ever moved to a new city in the UK and spent hours trying to find somewhere that sells fresh yams, plantain, or proper scotch bonnet peppers — you know the problem we're solving.
African stores are everywhere across Britain — in Peckham, Brixton, Elephant & Castle, Birmingham's Aston, Manchester's Moss Side — but there's never been one place to find them all. You'd rely on word of mouth, stumble across them by accident, or drive across town on a tip from a friend.
African Stores was born from that frustration. We're building a platform where anyone can type in their postcode and instantly see every African food store, restaurant, hair salon, and business near them — complete with what they stock, when they're open, and what the community thinks of them.
But we're not just a directory. We're building a platform where store owners can connect directly with their community — posting updates about new stock, sharing offers, and building a loyal following of customers who love what they do.
What we believe
The principles that guide how we build this platform.
Community First
Every feature we build starts with one question: does this help the African community in the UK? If the answer isn't a clear yes, we don't build it.
Small Business Matters
African store owners are the backbone of their communities. We exist to give them the visibility and tools they deserve — without charging the earth for it.
Trust & Accuracy
Every verified listing is owner-managed. We never fabricate reviews, inflate numbers, or prioritise revenue over honesty. The community trusts us because we earn it.
Easy Discovery
Whether you're new to a city or have lived here for 20 years, finding a store should take seconds, not hours. We make discovery effortless.
Grow Together
When stores do well, communities thrive. When customers find what they need, they come back. We grow when everyone on the platform grows.
By Us, For Us
This platform is built by members of the African diaspora who understand the community because we are the community. That perspective shapes everything.
Find stores you'll love
Search by postcode, browse by cuisine, and discover stores stocking exactly what you need. Follow your favourites and never miss a restock.
Grow your business
Claim your listing for free, manage your details, and reach thousands of customers searching for African stores every month.
Get in touch
Have a question, suggestion, or just want to say hello? We'd love to hear from the community. Whether you're a customer or a store owner, our inbox is always open.