NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 17 – Africa’s first-growing B2B multi-vendor e-commerce platform, Zandaux, was officially launched in Nairobi, aiming to transform intra-trade and create a welcoming atmosphere for enterprises of all kinds.
The Zandaux launch tackled important discussions surrounding cybersecurity on e-commerce platforms, the accessibility of African products, and the opportunities suppliers can enjoy on Zandaux, whose mission is to nurture African businesses.
Addressing the press, Zandaux founder and CEO, Frank Obambi Ngatse, said the business platform is a gateway to unlocking opportunities for big, medium, and small businesses to flourish.
Further, he said that the platform is not only connecting but also reinventing the way manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, and retail sectors collaborate across the African continent.
However, for a better realization and successful eco-mass adoption in a diverse African market, more players are needed in the business platform.
“The success depends on the way the whole ecosystem comes together to make a new technology rule. We have a platform, but if the sellers do not trust us enough to sell on the platform, we won’t have a business,” said CEO Obambi.
Africa has a huge potential for e-commerce, as it has the youngest and second-largest population in the world, with over 1.3 billion people.
According to Statista, the number of e-commerce users in Africa is expected to grow from 139 million in 2018 to 520 million in 2024, at a compound annual growth rate of 17.9 per cent.
“The future is there, but all the actors need to come together. The fintech brings payment solutions, and the governments make sure that the e-commerce is complete perfectly or even drop down some barriers, especially when it comes to input, he added.
Due to the instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries opted to shop online because no one was allowed to move from place to place.
For instance, in Kenya, the Association of Manufacturers (KAM) had to launch an online directory for locally manufactured goods to help Kenyans shop online.
This is a clear projection that Zandaux, in partnership with other innovators, can be able to redefine the landscape of B2B trade in the African market.
“The potential is there, and the magic we have is taking time, but if everybody were about to believe in technology, it should be something like this year; we should already see things differently, and we hope that by the end of this year, by the time we get to December this year, we will have to have 70 per cent of Kenyan manufacturing online,” added Mr. Frank Obambi.
Delivery and logistics
Consumer trust is crucial for e-commerce to thrive in Africa. To enable MSMEs to fully leverage the e-commerce opportunity for growth, a high level of consumer readiness is needed, and trust is a huge part of this.
Zandaux, however, guarantees a comprehensive delivery of products and services to all consumers across the continent. Shipment of products will be done more conveniently from state to state with a reasonable payment.
Enabling policies and regulations for e-commerce
E-commerce is increasingly being adopted within the region; however, the lack of regulatory certainty makes it challenging for MSMEs to leverage it effectively.
To support e-commerce adoption, fundamental enablers of a digital economy such as cybersecurity laws, intellectual property laws, and personal privacy data protection laws, as well as e-commerce-specific regulations, including e-transactions laws and consumer protection laws, are vitally needed.
Matano Ndaro, Director, Postal and Telecom Services, Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), said in his remarks that the government will work hand in hand with Zandaux to ensure they realize their ambition of connecting Africa in e-commerce by simply avoiding cybercrime and other online irregularities.
Uptake of digital payments for e-commerce
Digital payments for e-commerce are quick, efficient, and safe in comparison to cash on delivery, which is resource-heavy to manage and prone to theft.
With Zandaux, fintech such as M-Pesa will be applied to enable anyone across the world to shop online from the comfort of their home
Meanwhile, Zandaux has established offices in Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, both operating on the entire African continent.
