Tendo, the leading social commerce platform has acquired Shopa, the B2B e-commerce platform to deepens its reach in the informal retail sector. The deal, structured as a combination of cash and stock, is set to redefine the supply chain landscape in Africa.
Tendo will leverage Shopa’s large network of offline distributors, predominantly in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space to connect with its online retailers, helping to expand its product offerings and widening opportunities for entrepreneurs. With FMCG contributing over 30% to Tendo’s current volume and continuously growing, Tendo will enhance its offering and ensure a consistent supply for its resellers. The partnership will also empower FMCG distributors in Africa who have been largely offline to seamlessly unlock new online channels through Tendo’s network of over ten thousand online resellers.
As part of the acquisition, Shopa will also be rebranded to Tendo Retail which will be headed by Shopa’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Frank Addae. The newly formed division will provide advanced technology to informal distributors in Africa to scale their businesses. The technologies of the two entities will also be merged to provide a unified experience for users.
The Chief Executive Officer of Tendo, Felix Manford, said: “We are excited to have Shopa, an integral provider of technology infrastructure for the informal supply chain in Africa, as part of Tendo Technologies. Our vision at Tendo is to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start and scale their businesses by making supply chains seamlessly accessible. Our partnership with Shopa will enable this, leveraging their advanced distribution technology and wide network of suppliers to deliver unprecedented value to our offline and online retailers. Together, we will revolutionize the retail space in Africa and empower entrepreneurs across the continent.”
The CEO of Shopa further commented: “We are excited to join the Tendo team, an innovative social commerce platform empowering online entrepreneurs in Africa. This partnership will enable us to access Tendo’s resources and capabilities, strengthening our value proposition to suppliers and manufacturers in Africa. Our expanded offerings will include greater opportunities for suppliers to unlock new retail channels and access diverse online and offline markets to scale their businesses.Together, with our shared vision and values, Tendo and Shopa will take the informal retail space in Africa to new heights. ”
