COS301-SE-2026/UniTrade

UniTrade is a web and mobile platform that enables university students to buy and sell second-hand academic materials. Built for the South African context, it offers a secure, reliable, and affordable alternative to expensive textbooks and informal marketplaces. # UniTrade ### The trusted peer-to-peer marketplace for South African university students The DevNexus Team — University of Pretoria · COS301 Capstone 2026 --- # UniTrade A web and mobile marketplace for South African university students to buy and sell second-hand academic materials safely and affordably. ## The problem University students in South Africa face significant financial pressure, from high tuition fees, rising living costs, and expensive prescribed textbooks. The current alternatives are bleak: buy new materials at full price, or rely on informal peer networks that are unreliable, unverified, and often unsafe. There is currently no structured and trusted platform where students can safely exchange academic materials with confidence. ## What UniTrade does UniTrade provides a structured, verified marketplace where students can list, browse, and purchase used academic materials directly from peers at their institution. Every user is verified as an active, currently enrolled student before they can transact, ensuring the platform remains trusted and scalable. ## Key Features | Feature | Description | |---|---| | **Student Verification** | Every account is verified against university enrollment records before transacting | | **AI Listing Verification** | Azure Computer Vision checks listing images for accuracy and detects fraud at delivery | | **Real-Time Chat** | Secure in-app messaging between buyers and sellers to coordinate meetups | | **Location Pickup** | Google Maps integration for arranging safe, campus-based handovers | | **Secure Payments** | OZOW integration — pay directly from your bank account, no card needed | | **AI Material Suggestions** | OpenAI-powered degree-specific material recommendations and price optimization | | **Multi-Channel Notifications** | Push notifications (FCM) and transactional emails (Resend) | --- ## Tech St …