On Tuesday 23rd March, the 400-meter, 224,000-tonne Ever Given container ship ran aground at the south end of the Suez Canal, blocking it completely. As it’s firmly grounded on both banks, efforts to refloat it are underway but it will take time. Some …

Facebook has announced the launch of Instagram Lite in sub-Saharan Africa. This lightweight version of the Instagram app, which is being rolled out in 170 countries, uses less data and is better suited for lower quality mobile networks. Instagram Lite …

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 …

At face value, the deterioration in relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkey shouldn’t mean much for supermarket retailing in Africa. Except Turkish discounter BIM has large store networks in Morocco and Egypt and Saudi influence puts the supply chain to …

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 …

Land’Or, Tunisian dairy processor specializing in cheese making has received €10.9 million (US$12.89m) loan financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support its expansion in Tunisia and investment in Morocco. Land’Or has been part of the EBRD …

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 …

BIM’s Q1 2020 results presentation has revealed that the company has opened up 9 stores in Morocco in Q1 2020 and that its improved profitability is approaching target. The company is sticking to its plan of opening no new stores …

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 …

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 …