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B2B e-commerce: Connecting the Digital Brick and Mortar Divide

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The entry of e-commerce in Nigeria was predicated on the coming of an easier, faster and more convenient shopping option to the prevalent brick and mortar culture.

It came with cost saving benefits and a competitive market pricing which gives consumers assortments to choose from. Within a few months, a new price checking culture had emerged.

Nigerians began to check and compare product prices online, rather than the conventional market price sampling. Hence, a rivalry was born, as proponents of digital products gradually lured customers away from physical stores.

While millions of digital natives and migrants tilted towards convenience of online shopping, the Nigerian informal retail market, estimated at over $100 billion kept the conventional market routes busy.

This is understandable. About 90% of the retailers in the sector have no formal education, and  85% of them prefer to settle their transactions in cash. Though the majority of them have access and own smartphones, the devices are mostly underused, as internet surfing skills don’t appeal to the majority in this bracket.

However, these retailers needed the convenience of e-commerce. Market trips are not minced meat. For some, it takes a full day of physical and mental energy. Transportation costs also eat deep into their profit. The market was thus open to a well tailored technology.

“I watched my mother, a retailer, burn both ends of the candle to provide for both my siblings and me. While studying at a university in China, I saw firsthand how technology could transform and empower communities. So the challenges my mother went through spurred me to create a similar solution for the Nigerian informal retail community,” said Alerzo Limited CEO, Adewale Opaleye.

Alerzo is one of the fast growing B2B e-commerce brands deploying technology to ease business experience for informal retailers in Nigeria,  connecting physical stores with digital solutions. TradeDepot, Omnibiz, Wabi2b also play in the sector across Nigeria.

Fully aware that the majority of these retailers have no formal education, e-commerce, through shopping and logistics technology, has simplified the goods ordering process for retailers. They source products from manufacturers based on orders from retailers and deliver them to their stores.

“We’ve made the restocking process easier by making them available on simple channels like USSD codes and WhatsApp. More importantly, we are also training retailers in rural communities on how they can order goods using our app. Improved internet penetration is also helping because many of them have smartphones, they only need little guidance and teaching,” Opaleye added.

B2B e-commerce companies say they also offer market advisory services to retailers to enable them to improve their profit margins.

According to some of the key market players, they recommend popular stock options to retailers based on data gathered from other vendors and market trends observed from consumers. This way, they help retailers introduce new products that establish them as the go-to shop in their locations and attain customer loyalty.

As the online shopping wave gets stronger, the crucial space occupied by informal retailers in the Nigerian setting cannot be ignored. It is therefore noteworthy that digital solutions by e-commerce brands in the sector are showing how technology can complement physical stores, improve market efficiency and facilitate overall digital economy growth.

 


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E-Business

NSIA Announces Phase 2 of $220,000 Start-ups Innovation Prize

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The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the start-ups to participate in the second phase of the accelerator stage (physical bootcamp) of the NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 2.0).

The week-long physical bootcamp will culminate in a mini demo day where the start-ups will pitch their solutions before a panel of judges drawn from the technology and the business eco system for a chance to proceed to the Demo Day and vie for a total combined prize value of $220,000 with an all-expense paid five-week training at Draper University, Silicon Valley, USA.

Mr. Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director/Chief Executive, NSIA, noted said the authority remained focused on leveraging the prize to propel socio-economic development especially by catalysing the technology ecosystem, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, advancing innovative solutions to everyday challenges and positioning Nigerian tech talents for global relevance.

The two-part accelerator phase initially had 100 start-ups selected after rigorous evaluation and due diligence carried out on over 7,000 early-stage businesses that registered for the competition. Out of these, and following additional screening, the following start-ups from multiple sectors have been shortlisted to proceed to the physical bootcamp.

Umar-Sadiq further explained that the NPI was the authority’s multi-year commitment to identify and nurture early-stage businesses with potential for transformative impact in the country.

Currently in its second edition, NPI has garnered significant attention as high-quality applications from interested businesses grew from 2,000 in the maiden edition to over 7,000 in 2024.

The initiative aligns with the authority’s ongoing commitment to catalyse the technology ecosystem by identifying and rewarding Nigerian innovators, equipping them with the right tools to scale product – market fit, connecting start-ups with potential investors and delivering a robust community of technology innovators and entrepreneurs.

 


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Excitement as Konga Ups the Tempo With 12th Anniversary

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The much-anticipated Konga Anniversary sale is here, and this year, it promises to be bigger and better than ever. As part of the Konga Mid-Year Shopping Festival, the anniversary sale will run from July 1 to July 31.

During this time, Konga will offer shoppers ultra discounts, unbeatable prices, free and same-day delivery, and exciting deals across all product categories. Celebrating its 12th anniversary, Konga is set to make this month-long event a memorable shopping experience for all its customers.

The Konga Mid-Year Shopping Festival has already been an immense success, with savings on Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Home and Kitchen Appliances, Electronics, Computing, Mobile Phones, Wine & Spirits, Fashion, and more.

As Konga celebrates its 12th anniversary, the discounts and offers are set to reach unprecedented levels. Shoppers can expect price slashes on a wide range of products, allowing them to save significantly on their purchases.

Konga, Nigeria’s leading e-commerce platform, has always been synonymous with quality, reliability, and superior customer service. Over the years, it has grown to become a household name, providing genuine products and exceptional service to millions of Nigerians.

This year’s anniversary sale is a testament to Konga’s commitment to its customers, offering extra savings and incredible deals that are too good to miss.

Since its inception in 2012, Konga has consistently strived to provide the best shopping experience for its customers. The growth and success over the past 12 years are a testament to its unwavering commitment to quality, customer service, and innovation.

As Konga celebrates its 12th anniversary, it is also celebrating the loyalty and trust of its customers, who have been the driving force behind its success.

“We’re thrilled to offer our customers an unparalleled shopping experience this July,” says Dave Omoregie, COO at Konga. “The combination of the ongoing Mid-Year Shopping Festival and our 12th Anniversary Sale creates a double dose of savings that’s truly unbeatable.

“We’re committed to providing Nigerians with access to high-quality products at affordable prices, and this event exemplifies that commitment.”

Konga has built a reputation for being a trusted e-commerce platform where customers can find genuine products at unbeatable prices. The anniversary sale is an opportunity for shoppers to experience the freedom and convenience that Konga offers. With the best prices, free delivery, and a wide selection of products, customers can shop confidently, knowing that they are getting the best prices available.

Customers in major cities will also enjoy having their orders delivered to their doorstep on the same day at no extra cost.

This value is only available on selected products. This service is part of Konga’s ongoing efforts to enhance the shopping experience and ensure customer satisfaction. With this initiative, Konga aims to set a new standard for e-commerce delivery in Nigeria.

The anniversary sale is an opportunity for all customers to join in the celebration and take advantage of the incredible deals on offer.

With a month-long celebration of unbeatable deals, convenience, and a touch of anniversary magic, Konga has everything you need to make this shopping extravaganza truly unforgettable.

Take advantage of this opportunity to save big and enjoy a premium shopping experience.


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PalmPay POS Operators Urged to Register or Submit their CAC Certificate to Prevent Account Freezing

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Following CAC’s Directive for POS operators to register and submit their CAC details on or before July 7, 2024, PalmPay is encouraging its Business users who have not yet complied with the directive to do so promptly.

This directive follows Section 863 (1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the 2013 CBN guidelines on Agent Banking.

Speaking on this directive, Umuteme Enakeno, Head of Marketing and Communication at PalmPay, stated: “PalmPay fully supports the CAC’s directive. To provide a seamless experience for our customers, we have integrated the registration portal with our Business App. In cases where the customers need support, we provide 24/7 customer support to our operators and also conduct weekly meetings to guide them on the process.”

Important Steps to Follow:

  1. Register Your Business via the PalmPay Business App: Ensure that all necessary documents and information are provided accurately before submitting your application.

2 Update Your PalmPay Account Once you get the certificate, update your business details in your PalmPay account to reflect your new corporate status.

As always, PalmPay is committed to doing our part to foster a secure financial ecosystem. We urge all PalmPay Business customers to submit or register their CAC before the deadline. Failure to do so means that the account would be frozen.


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