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How to sell on Telegram in Ethiopia

ET Digital Marketplace lives entirely inside Telegram. You post an item in the bot, our team approves it, it gets published to the right channels, and buyers message you directly. No app download, no fees, no commission.

Start selling in Telegram

Six steps from photo to sale

  1. 1

    Open the bot and pick your language

    Tap Open in Telegram and press Start. Choose English or አማርኛ — every menu after that follows your choice.

  2. 2

    Send /sell and add your item

    The bot walks you through it: category, title, city, condition (new or used), photos, and a short description. Add up to several photos — they all show up in the post.

  3. 3

    Set a price, or choose “Contact for price”

    Enter a price in ETB, or pick 💬 Contact for price if you'd rather negotiate directly with the buyer.

  4. 4

    Wait for approval

    Our team reviews every listing to keep scams out. You'll get a Telegram message the moment it's approved — including links to each channel your item was published in. If something is off, you get the rejection reason so you can fix and repost.

  5. 5

    Buyers message you directly

    Each published post has a Contact seller button that opens a Telegram chat with you. No phone number sharing, no middleman, no commission on your sale.

  6. 6

    Mark it sold when you're done

    Open /mylistings and tap Mark as sold. The bot edits the original channel posts to show it's sold, so you stop getting messages about it. You can also edit any field of a live listing and the channel posts update automatically.

Getting approved faster

  • • Use clear, well-lit photos of the actual item — no stock images.
  • • Write a plain title: brand, model, and key detail (e.g. “iPhone 13 128GB — Addis Ababa”).
  • • Pick the correct category and city so it reaches the right channel.
  • • Be honest about condition and any damage.
  • • Never ask buyers to pay before they see the item — that gets listings removed.

Handy bot commands

/sell
Post a new listing
/mylistings
Edit, renew, or mark your items sold
/browse
Browse and search what others are selling
/invite
Invite friends and earn rewards
/safety
Safety checklist before you meet a buyer
/contact
Message our support team

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to sell on ET Digital Marketplace?

Yes. Posting listings and receiving buyer messages is free. We take no commission on your sale.

How long does approval take?

Listings are reviewed manually, usually within a few hours. You get a Telegram notification with channel links as soon as it goes live.

Why was my listing rejected?

Common reasons are unclear photos, missing details, prohibited items, or suspected scam content. The bot sends you the exact reason — fix it and post again.

Do I need to share my phone number?

No. Buyers reach you through your Telegram account using the Contact seller button.

Where do my listings appear?

In the ET Digital Marketplace bot search and in our Telegram channels that match your item's category, city, and condition.

Ready to list your first item?

Open the bot