Mature e-commerce markets (US, UK and China) often grab attention.
This second post in a global e-commerce series flips the map upside down to examine a rising star in the southern hemisphere: South Africa.
THE BIG PICTURE:
The African continent is “the world’s last, largely untapped retail market,” with >500 million e-commerce consumers by 2026 and growing household spending.”[Reuters, AfricaBusiness]
WHY SOUTH AFRICA?
South Africa plays a significant role in unlocking e-commerce growth across the continent, as it has:
– Africa’s most developed economy.
– A growing, tech-savvy and youthful population
– One of the largest upper-middle-income economies on the continent
NEXT STEPS:
Now the focus is on building South Africa’s e-commerce infrastructure for greater access and efficiency, which requires alignment among:
– Supply chain players (retailers, brands)
– Solution providers (logistics, tech)
– Government
Notice which global retail powerhouses are investing in South Africa e-commerce.
Special thanks to Emanuel Pillay for inspiring this market overview.
Coming soon: Latin America’s E-Commerce Explosion.
Related:
Ireland E-Commerce Soars