Streaming service Spotify is expanding into more than 80 new country markets, as well as adding 36 new languages to its platform. The expansion will include 40 African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria. Spotify …

Unilever engineers have created a prototype nano factory capable of fitting in a 40ft container. The prototype can take raw materials, process them, package and label them. It is currently being trialed in the Netherlands, producing liquid bouillon. Unilever says …

The boycott of French goods by consumers in Muslim countries has reached Egypt, a key market for French supermarket chain Carrefour, as well as several major French FMCG brands including Danone and L’Oréal. We think there is a risk the …

Jumia is opening up its logistics network to third party businesses in 11 countries. The move means the internet retailer will offer its platform and network, enabling companies to use its final mile delivery capabilities. Prior to the announcement, Jumia …

Egyptian cheese producer Domty and FrieslandCampina have signed an MoU to explore joint business opportunities in Africa. The companies plan to collaborate to export cheese to other African countries. Domty was founded in 1988 in Egypt. It is a leader in the Egyptian …

Internet retailer Jumia’s Q2 results show losses are narrowing, consumer numbers have grown and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a mixed blessing – driving sales of FMCG products but hitting big ticket items, discretionary products and Jumia Food, its food …

South African discounter Massmart, a subsidiary of Walmart, is looking to cut 1,800 jobs in its bid to get its performance back on track. Meanwhile in West Africa, CFAO’s Supeco (Carrefour) discounter franchise is seeing sales take off in the …

DHL Express has taken a minority stake in Link Commerce, the UK-based e-commerce platform that sits beneath MallforAfrica.com and DHL’s Africa eShop service. DHL is betting on a fundamental change in purchasing behaviours in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which …

At Trendtype we have decided to put our thoughts down on paper, as it were. Headline: there are lots of reasons to believe that African countries may emerge from COVID-19 in better (or less worse) shape than developed economies in …

Africa Capitalworks Management (ACW) has taken a significant minority stake in Malian soft drinks and bottled water company Gaselia Industries Group to fund regional expansion. Gaselia has bottling and distribution operations in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Guinea. The investment from Africa …

Following the launch of Carrefour’s value Supeco brand in Morocco in 2018 and Senegal in 2019, Carrefour’s West African partner CFAO has opened its first Supeco store in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The 1,900m2 store is located in the Yopougon-Niangon South …

The problem is retail development rankings are useless. Worse than useless, actually. We explain why we don’t trust AT Kearney’s Global Retail Development Index when it comes to Africa. A few years ago we wanted to build a retail market …

So here are our big themes in 2019 and a look ahead to 2020. It’s been another eventful year in African consumer and retail markets in 2019. Some big retail players coming unstuck In grocery retail, some big players have come …