MoneyAfrica to drive growth in e-commerce

SOUTH African online sales recently passed 1% of total retail sales. While a milestone achievement, developed economies are further ahead, and South Africa and other African countries require exponential growth to catch up.

DHL will host eCommerce MoneyAfrica Confex, now in its fourth year, at the CTICC from March 14 to 15.

Kinetic managing director Terry Southam said: “The 1% problem is as much an intriguing opportunity as it is a daunting task; the potential for growth and rapid acceleration is real. Understanding where the acceleration opportunities lie not only from an online retail perspective, but in the payments, funding and fulfilment space is what MoneyAfrica 2018 is all about.”

MallForAfrica chief executive Chris Folayan said: “The e-commerce landscape in Africa is evolving so fast that it’s almost impossible to keep up. I have found the eCommerce Africa conference and exhibition to be one of the best ways to be informed and meet those who are making major disruptive and innovative changes.”

The advisory panel includes leading industry experts, such as Folayan; Gwenaël Trotel, the head of card and emerging payments at Standard Bank; Varun Cheemra, the head of e-commerce sales for sub-Saharan Africa at DHL; Leonard Stiegeler, the general manager for Africa at Ringier; Galia Beer-Gabel, the head of business development, SMBs and consumer growth Africa and Israel at PayPal; and Geraldine Mitchley, the senior director of emerging payments and innovation for sub-Saharan Africa at Visa.

“As the market leaders in international express logistics in Africa, we have extensive first-hand experience of the positive impact that e-commerce has on the continent. ‘Brand Africa’ has become increasingly popular across the globe, and we are thrilled to work with thousands of customers across the continent, helping them to expand their brand across borders. The evolution of the DHL eCommerce MoneyAfrica is a wonderful platform for DHL to further connect and support the industry,” said Steve Burd, the vice-president of sales for DHL Express sub-Saharan Africa.