Brands/Products
Are you Noticing this Emerging B2B e-Commerce Trend?
By Victor George
Twitter is now back in business in Nigeria. Having taken a hiatus from a conversation on the bird app after the suspension by the federal government, I returned sometime last week.
As usual, Twitter Nigeria is a no dull moment space. The African Cup of Nations is on and memes were flying regarding the big-name casualties of the tournament. African football powerhouse, Ghana was dumped out of the tournament at the group stage after losing to debutants, Comoros Islands. “What is a Comoros?” “Trouble be like Comoros” were some of the trending hashtags on Twitter.
In the midst of the fun and banter, something caught my attention: a retweet popped up on my timeline of a tweet by @ajalayemi. It was something different from the flow of things in space. The author of the tweet is based in Ibadan. His tweet was about branding by Alerzo Limited, a business-to-business e-commerce platform delivering goods with vans and buses. He was fascinated by what he saw and decided to do some little search about the company.
From his findings, Alerzo’s business model was designed to make business seamless for informal retailers. Unlike the Kongas and Jumias that connect sellers to customers, Alerzo is connecting informal retailers to direct supply from manufacturers. An informal retailer is that woman with a small shop on your street who sells almost everything. Yoruba call them “gbogbo lowo”, meaning “I sell all you need”. These sellers are forced to close their shops when going to the market to restock. Some of them lose customers in the process. The stress of frequent market trips also takes a toll on them both mentally and physically. So what Alerzo service implies is that instead of market trips, they simply pick up their phones to restock, or order via Alerzo app and get their stocks delivered at their shops.
The idea sounded novel to me. I’ve not heard or seen such in Nigeria. At that point, I decided to do some digging about the company. Alerzo started off in Ibadan almost two years ago as the brainchild of the son of an informal retailer. In one of his interviews, the Chief Executive Officer of Alerzo Limited, Adewale Opaleye said he witnessed first-hand the ordeals of his mother who went through a lot to keep her retail business going while managing the family. He saw the gap that could be bridged by e-commerce technology and decided to make it a reality in Nigeria.
Alerzo is not the only company offering this type of service, there are others like Omnibiz, TradeDepot. Their services are already being enjoyed in other parts of the South West, North West and North Central. Apparently, I’ve been missing a growing trend, just like many of my readers right now. Thousands of retailers are already enjoying the ease and convenience of e-commerce. Improved lifestyle, increase in profit and savings are the immediate benefits that come with the service.
On a broader scale, these platforms with their services will spike huge business activities in the digital space in the next few years. This is due to the fact that informal retail is a multimillion-dollar business in Nigeria. Imagine the economic benefits Nigeria will derive from bringing just 50% of those retailers into the digital economy space.
The increasing rate of mobile phone adoption in Nigeria makes this a possibility. In 2021, the number of mobile internet users in Nigeria amounted to over 101.7 million, with over 32% using smartphones. The rate of smartphone usage is increasing and many of these sellers can afford the cheaper versions. As a matter of fact, many informal retailers have tech-savvy children who indirectly hijack their phones for games and internet surfing. With the help of these young ones, they can easily make their orders and get them delivered.
For all tech enthusiasts, this is an interesting trend to watch. There are reports of millions of dollars investment by external investors in the B2B e-commerce platforms. This shows the faith and belief that the model can work in the country. From all indications, there are interesting times ahead for informal retailers in Nigeria thanks to a new wave of innovators opening up the market to new possibilities.
Victor George, a tech enthusiast, writes from Lagos
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Another award has been added to the shelves of Airtel Nigeria for the quality service it offers its numerous subscribers.
At the 14th Nigerian NewsDirect Awards held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday, December 6, 2024, the company went home with the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand award.
The chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, thanked the news platform for the recognition, reiterating the dedication of the organisation towards the growth of Nigeria.
“At Airtel, we remain steadfast in our mission to enrich lives and contribute to the sustainable growth of our nation, and we are proud to receive this award as the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to connecting Nigerians, driving digital inclusion, and empowering communities through innovative solutions,” he said.
The ceremony, themed Achieving Economic Prosperity: The Role of Human Capacity Development, Fiscal Prudence, and Revenue Generation, celebrated outstanding contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to national development across sectors and industries.
The chairman of Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, thanked all participating entities for their “continuous contributions and support to the nation’s growth.”
“You have demonstrated excellence and have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress and we believe this platform will continue to highlight and encourage best practices across industries,” he stated.
The event attracted several persons, including the chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair; and the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; among others.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The second edition of the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival held on December 1, 2024, received the backing of Rite Foods Limited.
It was a platform for young entrepreneurs, food vendors, and entertainers to showcase their talents and promote the rich cultural heritage of Oyo State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Rite Foods used the event to foster growth and innovation among enterprising youths in society in demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement.
The Corporate Communications Manager at Rite Foods, Mr Innocent Adulugba, said, “As a manufacturing company driven by innovation, Rite Foods Limited believes in the power of young people and the importance of providing platforms that enable them to showcase their skills and talents.”
“The Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival aligns with our mission to inspire, support, and add value to talents and entrepreneurs across Nigeria,” he added.
“Rite Foods Limited recognizes the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival as a platform for growth and that is why the company is here today to leverage support so the participating food exhibitors can benefit via joint marketing efforts, co-promotions, and expanded distribution channels under one roof,” Mr Adulugba stated.
“We are partnering with food vendors to offer consumers a more comprehensive and enjoyable experience, such as pairing beverages like Bigi, Sosa or Fearless with complementary food options of their choice,” he noted.
Also speaking, the convener of the programme, Ms Chinwendu Festus of Wendy’s Kitchen, said, “The first edition of Ibadan Chops and Chills was a success, which inspired us to aim higher this year.
“Our goal is to provide young people with the space to showcase their culinary talents, grow their businesses, and connect with a broader audience.”
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ms Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, stated, “This initiative is one of the best I have seen. It aligns perfectly with our administration’s goals of empowering the youth, promoting cultural heritage, and fostering talent.”
It was gathered that the festival featured cooking competitions, entertainment shows, guest tours and vendor exhibitions, which highlighted the diversity and ingenuity of participants and the diversity of food options on display.
In this economy, you can’t be paying for things and not getting the full value. Unfortunately, that’s how most cable TV subscribers feel. It’s like there’s a lot on TV, but nothing for you. Here’s a solution to that problem. We’ve taken the time to sieve through everything, so you don’t have to. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your GOtv subscription during the holidays.
Take Advantage of the Golden Window Offer: The best entertainment sits on GOtv Supa Plus – and there’s an easy step to get there. To celebrate, GOtv is extending the Golden Window deal for Supa+ subscribers. Instead of paying the regular ₦15,700, you can now enjoy the Supa+ package for just ₦13,900. That’s where all the Premier League games sit. There’s a game almost every day this period. You also get Africa Magic Showcase for a little family drama – relive the easy-to-watch TV series, suitable for the family. Don’t miss out on this premium offer; take advantage of the savings while you can.
Check Out New Channels: Why not try something new and explore different channels this Christmas? It’s a great chance to step outside your usual picks and discover some festive gems and fresh content you might not expect. From comedy specials to music concerts. For example, the Holiday Pop-Up Channel will have the most recent stand-up comedy show from Nigeria’s best stand-up Comedian – Bovi — Christmas with Bovi (December 24th–26th). It’s also better to watch the Calabar Rocks Music Concert, Naija Most Wanted, and the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols Festival 2024 on TV than under the sun.
Set Reminders for Special Movies and Shows: With all the festive activities going on, it’s easy to forget and get lost in pointless scrolling online. A simple reminder can remind you to take a break from triggering social media posts and enjoy wholesome entertainment on TV. From new Africa Magic originals like ‘The Jump’ and ‘10th Anniversary’ to classic favourites like Bad Moms and Problem Child – a classic, there’s so much to enjoy. Set those reminders so you can enjoy all the festive cheer without the fear of missing out.
Host Watch Parties: The holidays are all about spending time with loved ones, and what better way to do that than by hosting a watch party? With your GOtv subscription, you’ve got everything you need for a fun-filled day. Picture this: Christmas Day, surrounded by family and friends, all gathered together to enjoy the Bovi Comedy Special—Christmas with Bovi. Whether it’s a comedy special, a classic holiday movie, or the latest Africa Magic original, there’s something to bring everyone together. So, make it a date, prepare the Christmas rice and chicken, and enjoy.
Stream Online via the GOtv App: During the festive season, homes are often buzzing with family members coming together to celebrate. If your household is anything like this, the battle for control of the remote and deciding what to watch can get intense. To avoid the remote wars, you can make use of the GOtv Stream app. The real owners of the remote can watch what they want while you stream yours – everyone wins.
So, go ahead and subscribe now or upgrade to unlock the cheer and excitement of the season with GOtv. Take advantage of the GOtv Supa Plus Golden Window and pay just N13,900 instead of the usual N15,700.
To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, simply download the MyGOtv app or dial *288#. To catch up and for on-the-go viewing, don’t forget to download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
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