Terms of use

01About Lokona

Lokona is a local goods marketplace operated by Tatem Solutions Ltd, a company headquartered in Rwanda. The platform connects buyers and sellers for in-person, local transactions. Lokona provides listings, messaging, identity verification, and a reputation system. Lokona does not process payments, hold funds, or participate in the financial settlement of any transaction. By using any Lokona service, web, mobile, or API, you agree to these terms.

02How the platform works

Lokona provides infrastructure for local commerce:

• Listings, sellers post items with photos, description, price, and location.
• Messaging, buyers and sellers communicate via Lokona's built-in chat.
• Reputation, verified identity badges, completed transaction counts, and mutual reviews build each user's public trust profile.
• Launch phase, selling is free with no listing limits; future subscription plans may be introduced with advance notice.

03Accounts & eligibility

You must be 18 or older to create a Lokona account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate personal information (name, phone, email).
• Keep your login credentials safe. You are responsible for all activity on your account.
• Not create multiple accounts to evade bans or manipulate ratings.
• Comply with all applicable laws in your country of operation.

Verification is optional but builds trust. Sellers may submit documentation for verification, which is reviewed by Lokona and is a free, optional process, it is never tied to any paid plan.

04Rules for buyers

Browsing and buying on Lokona is free. You agree to:

• Use Lokona's on-platform messaging to communicate with sellers.
• Inspect items in person before paying. Never pay in advance or without seeing the item.
• Confirm transactions honestly. If a seller records you as a buyer, only confirm it if you actually made the purchase.
• Leave fair, accurate reviews. False ratings are a violation and will be removed.
• Understand that Lokona does not process payments or offer refunds. All payment arrangements are between you and the seller.

05Rules for sellers

All sellers agree to:

• List only items you own and have the legal right to sell.
• Describe items accurately, condition, defects, authenticity. Photos must be real.
• Respond to buyer messages promptly.
• Only record transactions on Lokona for sales that actually occurred between you and the confirmed buyer.
• Honor listed prices. Sellers may allow offers per listing.

06Subscriptions & fees

07Reviews & reputation

Lokona's review system is designed to reflect genuine completed transactions:

• Reviews are only available after a seller records a transaction and the buyer confirms it happened.
• Both parties must have an existing messaging conversation about the listing before a transaction can be recorded.
• Reviews remain hidden until both parties have submitted, or 7 days have passed, preventing retaliatory ratings.
• Review weight is calculated based on the reviewer's verification status, account age, and transaction history.
• False transaction records or confirmation fraud are violations subject to account suspension.

08Anti-fraud & violations

Lokona takes fraud and abuse seriously. We detect and investigate:

• Fake listings, items that don't exist, stolen photos, misleading descriptions. Listing removed → account suspension.
• False transaction records, recording sales that never happened to manufacture reviews. Account suspension → ban.
• Review manipulation, coordinated fake reviews, confirmed by non-buyers. Ratings removed, repeat offenders suspended.
• Identity fraud, fake National ID or business registration documents during verification. Immediate ban.
• Harassment, threats, hate speech, or inappropriate behavior in messaging. Ban and potential report to authorities.

We cooperate with local authorities on criminal matters and maintain audit logs of all transactions and messages for at least 3 years.

09Disputes

Because Lokona does not process payments, it cannot issue refunds. Lokona's dispute system covers platform conduct, not payment recovery.

10Account suspension & termination

We may suspend or terminate your account if you:

• Violate any of these terms.
• Engage in fraud or harassment.
• Receive repeated negative ratings indicating unsafe behavior.
• File false transaction records to manufacture reviews.
• Provide false identity information during verification.

You may delete your own account at any time from account settings. Sellers with active listings should mark them sold or remove them before deleting their account.

11Intellectual property

Everything you post on Lokona (photos, descriptions, listings) remains yours. By posting, you grant Lokona a non-exclusive license to display, reproduce, and distribute your content within the platform and in marketing. You keep full ownership.

Lokona's logo, name, design, and code are owned by Tatem Solutions Ltd. You may not copy, scrape, or redistribute our platform.

12Limitation of liability

Lokona acts as a marketplace facilitator. We are not the seller of listed items. To the maximum extent allowed by applicable law, Lokona's total liability to you for any single transaction is capped at the value of that transaction. We are not liable for: indirect damages, lost profits, emotional distress beyond direct financial harm.

13Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of Rwanda. Disputes are resolved in the competent courts of Rwanda.

14Contact