Tag: e-commerce

MyBank, Mastercard and Network International launch new debit card to elevate e-commerce in Somalia

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SOMALIA – As part of continued efforts to expand access to the digital economy and drive financial inclusion in Somalia, MyBank, Mastercard and Network International have partnered to launch a new Mastercard debit card that seamlessly enables online shopping in Somalia.   The new physical card is a first for MyBank in the country and will enable consumers to transact in-store at various points of sale and at ATMs, while also giving them the ability to make online purchases through e-commerce channels. These services will also benefit underserved sectors in Somalia,…

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Jumia taps former Britam Commercial Director Betty Mwangi as CEO

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KENYA – E-commerce platform Jumia has announced the appointment of Betty Mwangi, as Kenya’s new Chief Executive Officer to take over from former boss Sam Chappatte. The company said Betty will focus on accelerating corporate growth. Betty is an engineer with 20 years of experience in the telecommunications, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries, she previously served as Group Commercial Director for Britam Group PLC from 2016 to 2021, a company she originally joined in 2013. She also worked as Director of Financial Services for Safaricom MPESA from inception in 2007 to 2016.  “Betty…

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E-Commerce startup Chooya secures US$950k to fuel its product development

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NIGERIA – Chooya, an eCommerce startup digitizing word-of-mouth marketing, has received US$950,000 in cash and program support from the Entrepreneurship World Cup to fuel its product development, marketing, and personnel to help businesses struggling with new customer acquisition to grow their sales. Founded in 2019 by Igwe Uguru who doubles up as CEO. Igwe is also the co-founder of RAD5 Tech Hub, an innovation hub focused on venture building. Chooya is one of the top 100 EWC finalists chosen from 200,000 participants spread across 200 countries, Chooya benefits from the…

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Airtel Money launches virtual payment solution in Zambia to improve e-commerce payments

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ZAMBIA – Airtel Money, a telecommunication company, has launched the Airtel Money Mastercard virtual payment solution in Zambia, to improve e-commerce payments in the country. The Airtel Money Mastercard will Airtel Money customers in the country, even those without a bank account, to make global e-commerce payments safely and securely, underpinned by a growing demand for digital payments. This forms part of Airtel Africa’s strategic partnership with Mastercard to give over 100 million Airtel Africa mobile phone users across 14 African countries access to Mastercard’s global network. The virtual (non-plastic,…

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E-commerce startup Efreshli raises US$550,000 to build on strong early growth

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EGYPT – Efreshli, an Egypt-based home furniture e-commerce startup, has raised a seed round worth US$550,000 to help it build on strong early growth. The seed round was led by angel investor Tarek Sakr and property developer Marakez, with participation from other investors. The startup will now focused on strengthening its technology solutions and opening a first GCC location in 2022. Founded in early 2019 by Heba El-Gabaly, Efreshli is a technology-enabled furniture design and shopping solution that has created a new way for consumers in Egypt to shop for…

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Dubai-based logistics firm DP World launches its e-commerce site in Kenya

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KENYA – DP World, the Dubai-based multinational logistics company, has announced the launch of its global wholesale e-commerce platform DUBUY.com in Kenya, bringing a new digital trade corridor for Kenya and the East African region. This expansion follows DUBUY.com’s successful launch in Rwanda earlier this year, where the platform has become a major gateway for trade in the East African region. The entrance to Kenya, according to the company, is aimed at fostering a secure and reliable way for organizations to develop, expand and crucially, improve supply chain connectivity and…

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BancABC unveils co-branded cards to drive digital payments and e-commerce in Zimbabwe

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ZIMBABWE – BancABC Zimbabwe has launched a  new suite of co-branded Mastercard and Zimswitch payment cards for its customers which will enable customers to make safe and seamless digital, domestic and international payments including e-commerce transactions. BancABC is the first bank to launch Mastercard and Zimswitch co-branded cards, following a partnership between the national payment switch and the global payment technology company announced last year. “We are delighted to be the first to market with this solution. It is thanks to the collaborative partnership between Mastercard, a global financial services…

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B2B startup Talabeyah raises pre-Seed round to scale its operation

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EGYPT – Talabeyah, a Cairo-based startup that provides B2B e-commerce services for food and groceries, has raised a seven-figure pre-Seed round from strategic angel investors.   The startup, which was launched in July 2020 by Karim Nassef, Amr Abbas, Khaled Hussein, and Adel Hodroj, has leveraged its supply chain model and purchase experience by establishing a customer-centric business, due to its founders’ extensive experience in the FMCG industry.   Barakat said the round will help scale the startup’s operations, further build the technology, and leverage the use of AI and machine learning algorithms utilising the collected data…

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Postal Corporation of Kenya secures US$650,000 from Trade Mark East Africa to boost e-commerce

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KENYA – The Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) has secured Kshs. 72 million (US$650,000) from Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) as it targets to boost its presence in the e-commerce delivery market. Under the deal, PCK says it intends to increase its capacity to process 10,000 packages daily to provide an efficient logistics and distribution platform for e-commerce entrepreneurs and customers. PCK says the funding will help it enhance internal digital capacities and improve collaboration with external, both regional and global actors, in the e-commerce space. “It is a great…

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Kenyan tech startup MarketForce enters Nigerian market

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NIGERIA – MarketForce, a Kenyan B2B platform for retail distribution of consumer goods and digital financial services, has entered the Nigerian market. For merchants, the B2B webshop can serve as a platform for planning procurement, ordering periodically scheduled deliveries, overseeing the execution of contracts, and such. Co-founded in 2018 by Tesh Mbaabu and Mesongo Sibuti, MarketForce is a B2B retail marketplace that empowers informal merchants in Africa to source, order and pays for inventory digitally and conveniently, access financing, collect digital payments. One can also make extra money by reselling…

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