This hardly comes as a surprise as Africa is the most economically ‘unfree continent’. For instance, no African country is classified among the top 20 by the Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal’s 2023 Index of Economic Freedom as “free.”

However, darling Africa has always been the target of the entire world, either for its vast economic opportunities, population and natural resources.

Over time, a problem seems to have bamboozled, dribbled, and consistently ‘poke fun’ at the policymakers and political leaders alike!

This calls for the unification of the people and economy of Africa and progressive repackaging of it good to the world, whilst getting the best value for trade.

Although, in this respect, many regional economic communities (REC) have been formed, African Continental Free Trade Agreement AfCFTA has been its nadir.

In the light of this supposed gloominess, Zandaux, is at the cusp of bringing a positive disruptive, permanent solution, through its trail blazing,  path-finding and audacious vision of  “one Africa, one market”  through the Business to Business medium.    

Mr. Franck Obambi Ngatse, Zandaux, Chairman and CEO, noted that he embarked on the journey with one single goal. How to bring African production on one single platform to make sure that  it doesn’t matter where anyone  produced  from,  the entire African market would be able to access the goods and services. That is bringing African factories and markets closely and directly to the people.

The Brazzaville-born, Globe throttling and serial entrepreneur notes that, the best time to address Africa’s critical problem of market disintegration is now.

To him, Zandaux envisioned a border-less; less stressful market that would give consumer access to the African market, empower African businesses to have an idea of assuming the economy of scale and reaching a bigger market.

According to Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, the president / chairman of Council Lagos Chamber of Commerce, “By 2030, more than 75% of the workforce in Africa and globally will be made up of millennial. They will be digital-minded and grew up with e-commerce as their go-to channel for purchases. On the other side, in Asia and America, almost 70% of all B2B sales are made through e-commerce while Europe is very much lower at about 20%.

Sadly, this is not the case in Africa, as 7% of all purchases in South Africa were made online, the highest share of e-commerce retail; followed by Nigeria and Kenya with 6% and 4% percent, while Egypt and Morocco accounted for a paltry 3% three percent and 2% of the total retail, respectively.

The Africa B2B market penetration seems not to be in consonance neither it resonates with the World Economic Forum 2030 projection, which indicates that young Africans are expected to constitute 42% of global youth population.

The implication is that “Africa as an economy has long been a reservoir of untapped economic potential, and the time has come for us to harness the power of B2B ecommerce to unlock new opportunities.

To Idahosa, Zandaux, is an innovative platform with the lofty goal of creating ‘One Africa, One Market does not only signify the trajectory of B2B E-commerce, but also set the pace for “The Future of B2B Commerce in Africa”

B2B (business -to business), a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce), is the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than between businesses and consumers (B2C). A B2B transaction is conducted between two companies, such as wholesalers and retailers.

The B2B market is also attracting big players from other sectors eyeing opportunities in Africa and the Middle East’s social commerce industry.

It is estimated to have grown its revenue by 70% in 2022 reaching $8.9billion forecast to reach $13.3billion by 2028

Globally, B2B commerce is undergoing profound transformations. Traditional sales models are rapidly declining and the majority of B2B sales interactions between suppliers and buyers are shifting to digital platforms.

In the coming decade, no goods or services will be sold without a digital shop, buy or self-service option.

Businesses will therefore be required to undergo unprecedented levels of digital transformation in order to radically change how they attract and retain customers, market their products, operate within supply chains, and provide services.

Importantly, B2B and B2C have similar high expectations for e-commerce. Many online purchasing processes in Africa are still disorganized.

According to iO, an European consulting firm, “Half of all B2B e-commerce platforms fail to buyer expectations. Even more alarming, 94% of B2B buyers encounter customer experience problems online.

Examples include unclear navigation, problems with checkout, or a platform that is not optimized for mobile use.

Many organizations do not yet see B2B e-commerce as the primary channel. All these must be tackled. It requires a completely different approach and a shift in the organization, not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of teamwork and the use of marketing and communication. It requires the efforts of all stakeholders dealing with these issues in a smart way.

In other words, the technology that we have now and will need in the future must not get in the way of the steps the organization needs to take.

Armed with the proper understanding of problems bedeviling the African B2B landscape, and having experimented with solutions with corresponding outstanding results from across Africa, platforms like Zandaux offers align perfectly and properly pose with the global trends of increased digitalization and interconnected economies.

After the resounding launch in Kenya and now Nigeria, Zandaux is set to redefine African business connectivity with its earned widespread acclaim for  intuitive interface, robust features, and dedication to fostering a vibrant business ecosystem, earning the trust of Kenyan businesses.

Zandaux which launched operations in Nigeria today at a grand event in Lagos, stands as a beacon of innovation, offering a cutting-edge B2B E-commerce platform designed to empower businesses across Africa.

With a steadfast commitment to fostering seamless B2B transactions, promoting collaboration, and driving innovation, Zandaux emerges as a transformative force in the region’s dynamic trade landscape.

Key Highlights of the Nigeria Launch:

Dennis Reumer –  CTO Zandaux while giving his opening remarks noted that the startup was on a mission to improve the inaccessibility to the African market which has contributed to poverty circumstances.

He added that the platform aims to be the world’s most inclusive B2B marketplace.

Sharing on the technology, tools and  knowledge that the Zandaux platform offers, he noted that businesses across Africa now have direct access to the entire African market.

“The platform will lower the barriers to entry for businesses within Africa and make cross border payments easier and cheaper while solving the logistics challenge that businesses currently face”, Reumer said.

Also speaking, Gabriel Idahosa, the president, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on the Future of B2B Commerce in Africa stated:

“The launch of Zandaux is a symbolic step towards a future where the boundaries that have historically constrained African commerce are taken away, paving the way for a vibrant and interconnected marketplace.”

Speaking on the future of B2B ecommerce in Africa, Mr Gabriel applauded the transformative potential of Zandaux noting the global ecommerce revolution is shifting towards digital, especially given that by 2030 more than 75% of the workforce in Africa will be made of millennials.

He noted that the opportunity for Zandaux is huge given that about half of B2B businesses fail to deliver to buyers’ expectations.

Mr Gabriel concluded by calling upon all entities to collaborate to achieve a better future of B2B ecommerce in Africa.

Expert Panel Insights

Tolulope Olukokun, CEO, Thinkbikes Limited, shed light on the pressing challenges hindering intra-African trade, particularly in logistics and currency exchange.

He underscores the untapped potential within the continent and the pivotal role technology plays in overcoming these hurdles.

Reflecting on his positive experience with Zandaux, Olukokun emphasised the platform’s ability to connect businesses across African nations seamlessly as his own company has been enjoying a full access to other African markets thanks to Zandaux.

“For my business it has been a great experience getting to launch our product on Zandaux, having to be on the platform and getting inquiries from different African nations proves the slogan, ‘one Africa one market’,” he stated.

Adeshina Adewumi, the CEO, Trade Lenda, emphasized the pivotal role of technology as an enabler and catalyst for digital transformation.

Highlighting that 50% of Nigeria’s GDP is contributed by small businesses, he underscored their key role in fostering growth.

Adewumi commended Zandaux for its commitment to propelling economic growth in Africa, specifically through the promotion of international cross-border trade, unlocking Nigeria’s full potential.

Bunmi Kole Dawodu, Lagos State manager of SMEDAN, while addressing the issue of collaboration and policy making, Bunmi emphasized the need for strong Public-Private Partnerships, urging stakeholders to proactively engage with the government.

He connected Zandaux’s mission to the broader AfCFTA agenda, highlighting its role in integration.

Bunmi concluded by stressing the need for ongoing participatory conversations around policies that will foster and support MSME growth.

On her part, Branice Mayienga, CEO, Africa Resource Connect, said that globalization of B2B platforms opens up to real-time communication which means at the touch of a button, users can ask questions and engage with the suppliers.

“There is an opportunity for us to explore new markets, we have access to a global customer base. Every economy thrives on disruptives, Zandaux is different,” she said.

Founder’s Address

Franck Obambi, CEO of Zandaux, noted that the innovation behind Zandaux was identifying the inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the supply chain when it came to trading.

He also added that the continent possesses a lot of opportunities for seamless trading that are untapped by other platforms and Zandaux was able to address this by providing a way for buyers to acquire products easily and at an affordable cost without the unnecessary stages on the supply chain that are often contributing to the highers prices for the final consumers.

In his closing, Franck emphasized that;

“Zandaux is more than a platform; it’s our formula to end poverty in Africa. Together, we are not just trading; we are transforming lives. Your support fuels our mission of One Africa, One Market. This endeavor is not just for us; it’s for our communities, and for our people. Thank you for joining us on this journey of empowerment and prosperity.”

The resounding success of the Nigeria launch sets the stage for the next big step. Zandaux is set to launch in South Africa and Egypt within the first quarter of the year.

The Zandaux Launch in Nigeria was attended by: Government agencies, Associations of Manufacturers and Suppliers, Private Sector Alliances, Transport and Logistics Companies, Fintechs and financial institutions, Suppliers and wholesalers, innovation hubs and Media.

Speaking at a virtual pre-launch press conference, Dennis Reumer, Chief Technical Officer of Zandaux, noted that the idea behind the platform is driven by a mission to empower one billion people in Africa.

He explained that Zandaux.com offers African suppliers an unparalleled opportunity to operate within the entire African market.

“The platform’s innovative features and commitment to sustainability and inclusivity position it as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity across Africa,” he said.

Meanwhile, Franck Obambi Ngatse, Chief Executive Officer of Zandaux has said the company’s cutting-edge multi-vendor platform, designed to streamline and enhance B2B transactions across Africa, highlighting its transformative impact on African trade includes facilitating seamless connections, fostering collaboration, and driving economic growth across the continent.

“Emphasizing our commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, Zandaux.com underscored its dedication to sustainability and inclusivity, ensuring that the platform promotes environmental responsibility and empowers businesses of all sizes,” he noted.

The platform will be officially launched simultaneously in selected three key African markets of Nairobi, Kenya; Johannesburg, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria by December 13, 2023, to mark a significant milestone for the company and the African business ecosystem as a whole.

The Lagos launch will take place at the Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.

Register to attend.