Afrobility: Africa Tech and Business

#66: TradeDepot - How the B2B retail platform is improving the supply chain for informal SME retailers and consumer goods producers across Nigeria and Africa


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Overview: Today, we’re going to talk about TradeDepot. We’ll explore the story across the following areas:

  1. Africa’s and Nigeria’s informal retail sector

  2. TradeDepot's early history

  3. Product & monetization strategy

  4. Competitive positioning & potential exit options

  5. Overall Outlook.

  6. This episode was recorded on June 25, 2023

    Companies discussed: TradeDepot, Twiga Foods, Wasoko (Sokowatch), Omnibiz, Alerzo, Marketforce, Sabi, Multipro, FMCG Distributions Limited & Kellogg

    Business concepts discussed: Informal retail penetration, SMB retail OS, B2B Operating systems, Informal markets, B2B retail, Buy Now Pay Later, Trade Finance & last-mile distribution

    Conversation highlights:

    • (01:00) - TradeDepot intro and why we’re talking about them 

    • (06:50) - Africa’s informal retail sector

    • (20:55) - Differences in informal retail across Africa 

    • (25:43) - Founders’ background and early history

    • (36:45) - Launch strategy

    • (42:54) - Fundraising and Growth

    • (49:55) - Growth and geographical expansion

    • (1:02:33) - Product strategy and evolution

    • (1:15:26) - Monetization strategy and costs

    • (1:13:11) - Competition

    • (1:25:05) - Options for exit

    • (1:32:52) - Bankole’s overall thoughts and outlook

    • (1:42:22) - Olumide’s overall thoughts and outlook

    • (1:53:03) - Recommendations and small wins


    • Olumide’s recommendations & small wins:

      • Interested in investing in Africa Tech with Olumide: Read about Adamantium fund & contact me at [email protected]. Founders looking for funding: If you're a B2B founder working on Education, Health, Finance or food, please contact me for funding at [email protected]

      • Checkout my FIREDOM book = FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) + Freedom = personal finance and financial independence book. Website, Read: Substack Newsletter & Buy: Print, eBook or Audiobook)

      • Recommendation: Eleven Rings (Phil Jackson). Great book about the unbelievable career of Phil Jackson who won rings with the Bulls (Michael Jordan) & Lakers (Shaq & Kobe).

      • Recommendation: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie. Best movie I’ve seen in years. Remarkably good. Great story. Great visuals. Fun!

      • Small win: Friends together for a birthday party on a boat and at the club. It was incredible.

      • Small win: FIREDOM book launch party in Washington DC. I wasn't even there but I felt the energy all the way from here in Miami.


      • Bankole’s recommendations & small wins:

        • Recommendation: Voyager Playlist, Basquiat - Asake & Iya Eba’s Legacy

        • Small win: Switched to a new keyboard - the Keychron K2 


        • Listeners: We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] with feedback!

          Founders & Operators: We'd love to hear about what you're working on, email us at [email protected]

          Investors: It would be great to link up with you. Contact us at [email protected]


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          Afrobility: Africa Tech and BusinessBy Olumide Ogunsanwo and Bankole Makanju

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