Terms of Service

Version 2.0
Effective: June 15, 2026

Terms of Service

Version 2.0 | Effective Date: June 15, 2026 | Last Updated: June 15, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to DiasporaBuild (the "Platform", "we", "us", "our"). The Platform is operated by DiasporaBuild [LEGAL FORM TO BE COMPLETED], registered under number [REGISTRATION NO. TO BE COMPLETED], with registered office at [ADDRESS TO BE COMPLETED] (the "Operator").

DiasporaBuild is a digital matchmaking and trusted third-party platform dedicated to construction projects in Africa, designed primarily for the African diaspora. It connects project owners ("Customers") with verified construction professionals ("Contractors", "Inspectors", "Suppliers", "Architects/Designers"), and provides digital tools for site monitoring, secure milestone payments (Escrow), 3D design (FUNDI Studio), AI-assisted plan generation, a professional directory, a community space ("La Communauté") and a building-materials marketplace.

DiasporaBuild is NOT a construction company. We do not carry out any building work. We act exclusively as a technical intermediary and trusted third party.

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

2. Definitions

  • "User": any individual or entity accessing the Platform.
  • "Customer": a User who creates a construction project and seeks services (typically a diaspora member building in their home country).
  • "Contractor": a construction professional providing building services through the Platform.
  • "Inspector": an independent professional performing site inspections and validating milestones.
  • "Supplier": a User selling construction materials and equipment through the marketplace.
  • "Architect/Designer": a professional offering plans, studies or design services.
  • "Project": a construction project created and managed on the Platform.
  • "Milestone": a contractually defined stage of work within a Project, conditioning a payment.
  • "Secure Escrow": a mechanism whereby the Customer's funds are held and released to the Contractor only after Milestone validation.
  • "FUNDI Studio": the 3D design and plan-generation tool, including AI-assisted features.
  • "Credits": prepaid units used for certain features (AI generations, renders, exports).
  • "Community": the social space where Users share build stories, questions and feedback.
  • "Directory": the public directory of construction professionals in Africa.

3. Eligibility

To use our services, you must: be at least 18 years old; have legal capacity to enter into binding contracts; not be prohibited from using the services under applicable laws; and provide accurate, complete and up-to-date registration information.

Professionals (Contractors, Inspectors, Suppliers, Architects) further represent that they lawfully carry out their activity in their country of practice and hold the required licences, permits and insurance (in particular Professional Liability Insurance and, where applicable, ten-year/structural warranty insurance or its local equivalent).

4. Accounts

4.1 Registration

Registration is done by email (with verification) or through a third-party sign-in service (Google). You are responsible for keeping your credentials confidential and for all activity under your account.

4.2 Professional verification

DiasporaBuild applies verification procedures (identity documents, insurance certificates, references) and displays trust badges. Verification constitutes reasonable due diligence and is not a guarantee of service quality.

4.3 Suspension and termination

We may suspend or close an account in case of breach of these Terms, fraud, falsification of documents or site reports, platform circumvention, or conduct harming other Users.

5. Role of the Platform — Intermediation

5.1 DiasporaBuild provides a technical infrastructure for matchmaking, monitoring and payment security. The works contract is entered into directly between the Customer and the Contractor. DiasporaBuild is not a party to any construction contract.

5.2 DiasporaBuild is neither a project manager, delegated project owner, architect, engineering firm nor insurer.

5.3 Cost estimates, material prices, timelines and budgets displayed on the Platform (including market data and price indices) are provided for information only and do not constitute a binding offer.

6. Secure Escrow and payments

6.1 Payments are processed by our licensed payment service providers: Stripe (cards) and pawaPay (mobile money in Africa). DiasporaBuild never stores card data.

6.2 When Secure Escrow is enabled: the Customer's funds are held; each Milestone is validated by an independent Inspector based on evidence (geotagged photos, reports); funds are released to the Contractor only after validation.

6.3 Commission: DiasporaBuild charges a service commission on transactions made through the Platform. The applicable amount or rate is displayed transparently before each payment. No hidden fees apply.

6.4 No circumvention: soliciting or accepting payments outside the Platform for Projects initiated through it is prohibited. Any breach may result in account termination and loss of associated protections (Escrow, mediation, Platform safeguards).

6.5 Refunds are governed by our Refund Policy.

7. FUNDI Studio, plans and AI tools

7.1 FUNDI Studio allows Users to design plans and 3D models, including with artificial-intelligence features.

7.2 Important disclaimer: plans, quantity take-offs, structural estimates and AI-generated content produced by the Platform are preliminary design-assistance documents. They are not execution drawings, are not stamped by a licensed architect and do not constitute structural engineering studies. Before starting any works, you must:

  • Have the plans validated by an architect, engineer or design office licensed in the country of construction;
  • Obtain local building permits and administrative authorisations;
  • Carry out the required soil and structural studies.

7.3 DiasporaBuild disclaims all liability for the use of plans not validated by a licensed professional.

7.4 Credits (including DIBO credits) are prepaid, valid for the duration stated at purchase, non-transferable and non-refundable once consumed (see Refund Policy).

8. Materials marketplace and Suppliers

8.1 Suppliers are solely responsible for the accuracy of their product listings, prices, stock availability, compliance of materials with local standards, and delivery.

8.2 DiasporaBuild may withhold payments to Suppliers until compliant delivery is confirmed, in accordance with the applicable protection mechanisms.

9. Community, reviews and user content

9.1 Users may publish content (build stories, photos, reviews, comments, questions). You warrant that you hold the rights to the published content and have the necessary permissions (including image rights of photographed individuals).

9.2 The following are prohibited: unlawful, defamatory, discriminatory or misleading content, fake reviews, impersonation, unauthorised solicitation and spam.

9.3 Reviews must reflect a genuine experience. DiasporaBuild may verify, moderate or remove manifestly fraudulent reviews, in accordance with the rules applicable to online reviews.

9.4 By publishing content, you grant DiasporaBuild a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, reproduce and display that content for the operation of the Platform and, in anonymised form, for promotion of the service.

9.5 Moderation is carried out ex post. Unlawful content may be reported through the reporting tools or at support@diasporabuild.com.

10. Professional Directory

10.1 The Directory lists construction professionals based on publicly available data and claimed profiles. Any professional may claim, correct or request removal of their listing (opt-out) via the Platform or at support@diasporabuild.com.

10.2 Presence in the Directory does not constitute certification or endorsement by DiasporaBuild, except where an explicit verification badge is displayed.

11. Subscriptions and referral programme

11.1 Certain features are available through paid subscriptions ("Pro" and similar plans). Prices, billing cycles and cancellation terms are stated before subscription. Subscriptions may be cancelled at any time, effective at the end of the current period.

11.2 The referral programme is subject to its own conditions displayed on the Referral page. Any fraud (self-referral, fake accounts) leads to cancellation of benefits and may lead to account closure.

12. Intellectual property

12.1 The Platform, its trademarks, logos, code, databases and editorial content are protected. Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited.

12.2 Plans purchased from the plans library are licensed for personal use on one (1) construction project, unless otherwise stated. Resale or redistribution of plans is prohibited.

13. Liability

13.1 DiasporaBuild undertakes to provide the Platform with due care, on a best-efforts basis.

13.2 DiasporaBuild is not liable for: performance, delays, defects or abandonment attributable to professionals; disputes between Users; the accuracy of information provided by Users; force majeure events; temporary maintenance interruptions.

13.3 To the extent permitted by law, DiasporaBuild's total liability towards a professional User is capped at the service fees received by DiasporaBuild during the preceding twelve (12) months. This cap does not apply to consumers, to gross negligence or wilful misconduct, or to bodily injury.

13.4 Nothing in these Terms deprives a consumer of the mandatory rights granted by the law of their country of residence.

14. Mediation and dispute resolution

14.1 In the event of a dispute between a Customer and a professional over a Milestone, the Platform's dispute-resolution procedure applies: freezing of the relevant funds, adversarial exchange of evidence, and intervention of DiasporaBuild as mediator.

14.2 For any dispute with DiasporaBuild, a prior complaint must be sent to support@diasporabuild.com. In accordance with Articles L611-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, consumers may use a consumer mediator free of charge: [MEDIATOR TO BE COMPLETED]. EU online dispute resolution platform: https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

15. Personal data

The processing of your personal data is described in our Privacy Policy and, for business customers, in our Data Processing Agreement (DPA).

16. Changes to these Terms

We may amend these Terms. Users are informed of any material change at least thirty (30) days before it takes effect (by email or Platform notification). Continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

17. Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by French law. Failing amicable resolution or mediation, disputes shall be brought before the competent courts of Paris (France), subject to mandatory jurisdiction rules applicable to consumers.

18. Contact

Related documents: Privacy Policy · DPA · Refund Policy · Master Services Agreement · Security & Insurance

See also:

Privacy PolicyRefund PolicyMaster Services Agreement (MSA)