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E-commerce

E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet, encompassing a wide range of online commercial transactions between businesses, consumers and governments. The sector includes business-to-consumer (B2C) platforms such as online retail stores, business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces, consumer-to-consumer (C2C) platforms and mobile commerce conducted via smartphones and tablets. E-commerce has transformed traditional retail by enabling companies to reach global markets, reduce overhead costs and offer consumers greater convenience, price transparency and product selection. Key activities include online storefronts, digital payment processing, electronic order fulfilment, logistics and delivery services, and customer relationship management through digital channels. The industry relies on secure payment gateways, data analytics, digital marketing and increasingly sophisticated supply-chain integration to compete effectively. Major global players include Amazon, Alibaba and eBay, whilst regional and niche platforms serve specific markets and product categories. In Africa, e-commerce is growing rapidly driven by increasing internet and mobile penetration, though challenges include logistics infrastructure, payment system limitations and consumer trust. The sector has become particularly significant for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) seeking to expand their market reach beyond physical locations. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated e-commerce adoption worldwide as lockdowns and social distancing measures shifted consumer behaviour towards online purchasing. E-commerce continues to evolve with innovations in artificial intelligence, augmented reality shopping experiences and integration with social media platforms.

E-commerce News


Amazon launches Prime in South Africa with fast, free delivery, exclusive deals and streaming entertainment in a single membership
3rd June 2026

Amazon launches Prime in South Africa with fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and streaming entertainment in a single membership Prime members enjoy unlimited fast and free delivery on a wide... 


Magazine cover image
AfCFTA shifts from treaty architecture to operational trade system amid persistent frictions
1st May 2026 By: Martin Zhuwakinyu

A quiet shift is under way on the African continent. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), long billed as the most ambitious economic integration initiative since the Organisation of... 


Propak Cape 2026 supports strong packaging industry growth
Propak Cape 2026 supports strong packaging industry growth
23rd April 2026

The South African packaging industry continues to outperform the country’s GDP growth rate, driven by a number of sustained market forces. Population growth, urbanisation and rising income levels... 


Digitalisation can alleviate today and the future’s logistics challenges
Digitalisation can alleviate today and the future’s logistics challenges
11th March 2026

By: Johan Potgieter - Cluster Industrial Software Lead at Schneider Electric In a CSIR research paper, Leading logistics performance, the organisation cites the performance of South Africa... 


Innovation, Automation and Sustainability to take centre stage in West Africa
Innovation, Automation and Sustainability to take centre stage in West Africa
2nd March 2026

Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most dynamic economic hubs, with a large and youthful consumer base driving demand across food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals and e-commerce. That... 


Is your warehouse smart, sustainable and skills-powered?
Is your warehouse smart, sustainable and skills-powered?
23rd February 2026

For decades, warehouses across much of Africa have been viewed primarily as functional cost centres - simply places to store stock, often under-invested and invisible to boardroom strategy. That... 


A general image of an aeroplane and a port terminal
Company boosts air capacity, automation to counter constraints
13th February 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Despite continued pressure on South Africa’s logistics network, FedEx Sub-Saharan Africa is managing cross-border risks through detailed line-haul planning, ensuring vehicles are appropriately... 


Africa’s cross-border e-commerce boom and the infrastructure needed to power it
11th February 2026

Africa is on the cusp of a significant shift in intra-continental trade, with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) unlocking a new wave of e-commerce growth driven by mobile-first... 


Fastway shares the five last-mile shifts reshaping South African e-commerce
Fastway shares the five last-mile shifts reshaping South African e-commerce
29th January 2026

As South Africa’s e-commerce sector continues to mature, expectations around delivery speed, visibility and affordability are intensifying. With online retail projected to exceed R100 billion... 


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