Aggregators at the forefront of Africa's e-commerce supply chains: What insights can we gain?

African consumers purchase over 70% of their food, beverages, and personal care products from approximately 2.5 million small, independent retailers, often called "mom-and-pop" stores. These shops, known by different names across the continent, play a crucial role in local commerce, demonstrating resilience through their proximity and convenience. The traditional retail sector accounts for about 40% of Africa's GDP but remains largely informal, with limited access to formal financial services and digital infrastructure, leading to the emergence of online B2B intermediaries.