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E-COMMERCE

Bullish e-commerce outlook for Africa, says international media report

By our News Team | 2022

Global technology publication predicts online shopping on the continent is set to become ‘highly lucrative’.

As access to smartphones, the internet and fintech becomes a larger reality within Africa, the continent is increasingly positioning itself as a highly lucrative market within the e-commerce industry.

This is according to The Fintech Times, a London-based global news outlet centred around a technology focused newspaper and website. In a recently published article, The Fintech Times quotes a report by StockApps, the financial education and app hub, which estimates African e-commerce will reach annual revenue of US$46-billion by 2025.

E-Commerce

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

“Africa is shaping up to be the next hotbed for internet-based businesses, currently worth around $33.3-billion. As smartphones and the internet become more prevalent in African countries, the population has started to shift towards online shopping,” the article states.

It also quotes research by Statista, the German-based consumer data specialist, as saying continent’s e-commerce industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.7 per cent between 2017 and 2024. In 2017, the industry’s annual revenue sat at just $7.7-billion and it is expected to increase to $42.3-billion in 2024.

Income to increase by 500 percent in seven years

“Thus, the yearly income stands to increase by almost 500 per cent in seven years,” The Fintech Times observes. “In the last couple of years, the pandemic has also helped the industry, like everywhere else on the globe. Thus, one can also expect the recent surge in growth to slow down in the coming years.”

The article continues: “In 2017, only 138.9-million people shopped online in Africa, a figure that is expected to grow up to 519.8-million in 2024, at a CAGR of 17.9 per cent. It is interesting to note that the revenue growth rate is higher than that of the user base.

“Furthermore, the e-commerce penetration in the African population in 2024 is expected to be 40 per cent. Therefore, there is significant room for further growth in the African e-commerce industry.”

This week the US publication Business Insider, quoting a leaked document, reported that Amazon.com intends to enter the South African and Nigerian e-commerce markets in 2023. 

Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.