Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa, with GDP of $432.3bn in 2020, according to the World Bank, and home to one of the largest proven oil reserves on the continent. The country has developed an investment-friendly business climate over two decades of civilian rule and in the nearly 60 years since independence, boosted by its oil and gas wealth, and the entrepreneurial spirit of its young popu
Home to the largest consumer market on the continent, Nigeria offers attractive opportunities for investors and retailers that apply growth strategies tailored to specific consumer preferences and take into account distribution challenges. While macroeconomic headwinds and currency volatility have weighed on consumer spending power in recent years – particularly since the drop in international oil…
Interview:Juliet Anammah To what extent did the Covid-19 pandemic influence e-commerce in Nigeria? JULIET ANAMMAH: Before the pandemic e-commerce retailers thought they were in a business of convenience by providing consumers and sellers with a platform where they could interact – which is convenient if you are not able to go to the store. After the start of the pandemic e-commerce became…
The Nigerian retail market remains fragmented and dependent on informal sales channels such as neighbourhood markets and kiosks, which account for 90% of retail activity. As in most emerging markets, the bulk of household expenditure in Nigeria is directed towards food. But with traditional in-person shopping limited by lockdowns, and many households facing tighter budgets, the sector contracted by…
Although informal physical retail sales continue to dominate the Nigerian market, e-commerce has experienced exponential growth in recent years, culminating in a significant push towards online shopping in 2020-21 in the face of pandemic-induced lockdowns. Market Footprint Home to two of Africa’s big-five online retailers, the Nigerian e-commerce market was valued at about $12bn in 2019, according…
Following a decade-long period of growth, in which formal retail supplies more than tripled, Nigeria’s retail sector faced several challenging years. Macroeconomic volatility, a recession in 2016 and the naira’s rapid depreciation impacted retailers and consumers alike. Likewise, both purchasing power and household incomes declined, while input costs and vacancy rates simultaneously increased.…
Interview:Olaide Agboola What potential do you see for developing the retail market post-recession? OLAIDE AGBOOLA: Since the economic recovery beginning in the second half of 2017, the retail and real estate sectors are attracting more interest from international investors again. The Nigeria Autonomous FX Window, launched in April of that year by the central bank, was also very much responsible…
Following a decade-long period of growth, in which formal retail supplies more than tripled, Nigeria’s retail sector faced several challenging years. Macroeconomic volatility, a recession in 2016 and the naira’s rapid depreciation impacted retailers and consumers alike. Likewise, both purchasing power and household incomes declined, while input costs and vacancy rates simultaneously increased.…
Nigeria’s e-commerce sector holds considerable potential for future growth, with sales set to double between 2016 and 2020. In recent years major African e-retailers have established operations in the country, with Zinox Technologies’ recent acquisition of Konga highlighting the sector’s growth potential and attractiveness to foreign investors. However, these companies face considerable…
Nigeria is continuing to gradually recover from the recession caused by the drop in international oil prices in 2014, with the economy returning to positive growth in 2017 and the IMF estimating that GDP will expand by 1.9% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019. That said, more remains to be done to achieve economic diversification, and major reforms are expected to be enacted following the general election in