Online shopping is touted as the new frontier of commerce. Across the globe, many startups use the internet or social media to boost their business chances as well as create business visibility. The spread of COVID-19 worldwide has led many businesses to pivot towards remote work and online sales.
However, many of these businesses, particularly in Africa, do not have the tools and technical skills to take advantage of the e-commerce space and other opportunities the internet present, partly due to logistical and financial challenges as well as infrastructure deficits.
To better equip startups worldwide, Facebook is running a non-equity program supporting innovative commerce startups that offer revamped shopping experiences for buyers and sellers. A total of 36 startups were selected worldwide. Of the 36, eight innovative African tech startups have been selected for the prestigious Facebook Commerce Accelerator Program.
In a blogpost, Michael B. Huang, Head of Startup Programs at Facebook, explained the benefits and aim of the program.
“Over the course of three months, we’re bringing together innovative commerce startups in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America to help create a unified shopping experience across all Facebook apps. Throughout the virtual program, the selected startups will have access to a dedicated Facebook mentor, comprehensive training, Facebook’s suite of products and technologies, and a valuable network of product experts and fellow founders to connect with.”
The eight African startups selected to join the Facebook Accelerator: Commerce Programme were assessed by an international panel of Facebook and product experts. They were selected for having a product focused on driving customer value, diverse and focused leadership teams, groundbreaking technology or research and evidence of business growth.
Below are the eight African startups that were selected for the program:
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