The Konga’s Evolution and Revolution in Nigeria’s Ecommerce Sector

By Nnamdi Odumody

Konga is a leading Nigerian omni-channel e-commerce brand on a mission to become the engine of trade and commerce in Nigeria and beyond. It was founded by a Nigerian serial entrepreneur, Sim Shagaya, in 2013, but was acquired by the Zinox Group.

The key sentence is thus: “Our mid-term goal would see to the establishment of more stores across Nigeria”. Yes, the new Konga would be opening physical stores across Nigeria. Certainly, that is a great winning business model. Besides the money being in the physical space, having stores will reduce the marginal cost challenges associated with pure play ecommerce. The piece quoted me as it argued the brilliance of pursuing this hybrid commerce for Konga

The company has undergone a strategic redesign which has seen it become the pioneer of the online marketplace structure with physical retail stores nationwide, with diversification into other businesses. Konga provides shoppers access to thousands of credible merchants, offering millions of certified, competitively priced products, across many categories.

In partnership with Microsoft, it launched a proprietary integrated application which is the first in Africa that will be the anchor of its expansion on the continent with a target to launch additional 140 Retail Stores and 15 mega fulfillment centers across Nigeria by the third quarter of 2020.

On May 1^st 2019, Konga will launch Konga Same Day Delivery for product categories in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt while improving its delivery rate by over 50 percent to other states.

Here are some major redesigns.

Konga B2B: This is Konga’s most aggressive price offering that supports resellers and bulk buyers nationwide with deliveries to locations no matter the distance. Shipments will be made from their mega fulfillment centers in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Onitsha, Kano, Warri, Enugu, Ibadan, Owerri and Uyo. It will be live from May 1^st 2019.

Konga Corporate: Its renowned highly competitive pricing and shopping bargains is extended to corporate organizations, cooperatives, government agencies, NGOs and others. It has a well trained team across different cities in Nigeria with understanding of how corporate entities operate and the flexible payment needs of Cooperative Associations with its Konga Pay mobile money platform.

Konga Pay: Konga Pay is its solution to simplify payments. It is a Central Bank of Nigeria licensed electronic wallet for making and receiving payments, airtime recharge, payment of digital terrestrial television subscription as well as linking your debit cards and bank accounts for seamless transfers or payments. The platform is fast, secure and easy to use, offering convenience to users.

KExpress: A digital logistics company with the capacity and nationwide spread for Konga and other users to meet the last mile deliveries for their customers, effectively. KEpress has advanced capacity and robust technology which allows its customers to accurately track their goods online irrespective of the location.

Konga Travel: Konga Travel is a 21^st Century lifestyle travel and tourism brand with cutting edge technology in the industry for online and offline businesses, to service individuals, families, group and corporate travel needs. It wants to improve the customer experience in the industry to the served, underserved and unserved travelers.

Konga will soon launch Platinum and Gold status merchants in Konga fulfillment centers. These merchants and manufacturers are provided secure spaces in its centers for efficient delivery to its shoppers.

With a soon to be concluded transaction of a major healthcare chain in Nigeria, Konga will bring its success in revolutionizing commerce to transform an industry which is ripe for digital transaction to serve the healthcare needs of Nigerians. Konga is undergoing revolution and evolution at the same time in the Nigerian ecommerce system. Its hybrid model is the path to sustained growth and profitability.