E-commerce has transformed the manner in which trade is performed across the world. Africa is no exception. Africa has numerous e-commerce platforms that have made it easier for us to buy things without stepping out of our homes. Whether you live in Kenya or Ghana, these e-commerce platforms have become your home market.
Below are some of the top African e-commerce sites benefiting from the continent’s rapidly growing internet usage:
- JUMIA
Jumia is setting the bar for African e-commerce platforms with its mission statement and concept of uniting customers and entrepreneurs to conduct better business together.
In order to create a technologically advanced ecosystem that cuts out the middleman, the company is building a platform where small, medium, and large African businesses can connect with their potential market.
Since its 2012 launch in Nigeria, the website has established a presence in over 23 African nations, with a network of more than 500,000 dealers. Jumia has successfully established a great reputation as a hub for goods and services that span the retail, food and hospitality, talent recruiting, concierge, hotel, and catering industries, as well as the retail and wholesale markets.
In addition to meeting the demands of customers and businesses, Jumia has aided many Africans who are skilled in fields like engineering, information technology, internet marketing, and web development by upskilling them and finding jobs for them.
2. TAKEALOT
Takealot from South Africa is the go-to online merchant for consumers looking for an easy and convenient online shopping and user experience. Since its founding in 2002, the website has been active for more than ten years. Its extensive inventory and range of entertainment products provide them a competitive edge. Anything from books to games, computers, and TVs are available for purchase by customers.
Takealot attempts to offer its consumers the newest products available on the market together with the most recent product specifications, which is part of what makes the online retailer an e-commerce success story.
Takealot received a sizeable investment from Naspers, one of Africa’s largest internet companies, in April 2017 totaling more than US $69 million. This happened after Tiger Global Management, an investment group, invested $100 million in the Internet shop in 2014. Tiger Global controls around 34% of Takealot, while Naspers holds a 53.5% share.
3. KILIMALL
Since its establishment in 2014, Kilimall, the largest online shopping mall in Kenya, has impressively managed to make a name for itself across the continent. The website’s retail consumer base is expanding and is now well-established in nations like Nigeria and Uganda.
In addition to carrying leading brands like Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, and Phillips, Kilimall is also recognized for its selection of electronics, including phones, computers, and gadgets. The website also sells additional goods, including furniture, clothing, books, health and beauty aids, and more. Consumers find it appealing because all of its services come with a 7-day free return policy on their premium line of goods.
4. KONGA
Since its early days in 2012 as a Lagos-only e-commerce site that specialized in infant and beauty care, Konga has come a long way. The online storefront has developed into a significant online retailer known as “The Amazon of Africa.” In order to address the lack of trust in online payments in Africa, Konga partnered with the top banks in Nigeria in 2015 to introduce KongaPay, a secure and practical online payment mechanism.
One of the first online marketplaces in Africa to develop a payment system that was integrated with international banks used a click system, which avoided the need to share sensitive information while making payments.
Konga is currently a significant player in the market thanks to Naspers, a South African media behemoth. Naspers has a 50% stake in Konga and invested US $50 million in the online store in 2014.
5. BIDORBUY Now BOBSHOP
One of the first internet stores in Africa was Bidorbuy, which was founded in South Africa in 1999. The website is special because it allows customers to participate in an online auction by placing bids on the items they want to buy. The website offers a platform to let buyers and sellers conduct business. An estimated 40% of all things sold on Bidorbuy are previously owned objects like antiques and collectibles. High-end DSLR cameras and lenses, laptops, novels, and video games are some items that customers choose to buy used.
Bidorbuy has acquired a number of South African web companies over the years. Popular websites like the online jobs portal, Jobs.co.za and e-commerce company, uAfrica.com are among them.
