African e-commerce startup Wasoko, which is transforming the unorganized retail supply chain has now announced its entry into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), utilizing its already established e-commerce hub in neighboring Rwanda.
The startup’s announcement, which follows the debut of its operations in Zambia in May 2023, is the startup’s second national expansion this year and the most recent stage of its objective to promote strong growth for indigenous businesses around Africa.
Wasoko is a solutions-based e-commerce platform that leverages innovative technology to reduce supply chain inefficiencies. It enables independent shops to place orders for goods at any time by SMS or a mobile app and receive free same-day delivery to their location.
Wasoko can provide best-in-class fulfillment and merchant engagement rates thanks to the platform’s end-to-end logistics process, which spans sectors including procurement, distribution, financing, and technology.
Daniel Yu, Wasoko’s founder and global CEO, commented on the launch, noting that the DRC presents a significant market opportunity for Wasoko as it remains one of Africa’s largest nations,
Despite the nation’s roughly 100 million population’s rapid growth and rising purchasing power, considerable infrastructure issues have severely restricted the country’s e-commerce industry, creating a sizable untapped market.
“However, through our cross-border logistical capabilities, established platform, and extensive product range, we strongly believe we’re firmly positioned to fully unlock this potential and ultimately become the market leader in the DRC’s B2B e-commerce space. As we move ahead, we look forward to building crucial relationships with local, on-the-ground stakeholders and tailoring our traditional customer-centric approach to align with the unique needs of the Congolese population.”
Wasoko joins a select group of companies that enable cross-border business to advance the integration of the DRC into the East African Community as its newest member country while fostering economic growth, job opportunities, and sustainable development throughout the region. This is made possible through the support of the Rwandan government as part of its broader drive to foster regional economic integration.
Wasoko intends to duplicate this concept in other parts of Africa after it develops into the DRC. This is part of its long-term strategy to expand its pan-African footprint, support local entrepreneurs, and provide African consumers with a wide selection of goods and services.
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