Amazon To Launch Marketplace In South Africa In 2024

Amazon has announced that it will launch its online retail store in South Africa in 2024, providing South African-based sellers the ability to reach customers across the country starting next year.

“We look forward to launching Amazon.co.za in South Africa, providing local sellers, brand owners, and entrepreneurs—small and large—the opportunity to grow their business with Amazon, and delivering great value and a convenient shopping experience for customers across South Africa,” said Robert Koen, general manager of the Sub-Saharan Africa region for Amazon.

While Amazon had previously announced plans for marketplaces in Nigeria and South Africa (Amazon.com.ng and Amazon.co.za), the Nigerian rollout has been paused.

The introduction of Amazon.co.za in 2024 will invigorate South Africa’s e-commerce sector, providing businesses with the tools to grow and access both the African and global markets.

South Africa’s e-commerce industry is thriving, driven by a growing middle class and increased internet access. Online retail constituted approximately 4 per cent of total retail sales in the country. In the past year, online retail sales in South Africa surged by 30 per cent to $2.9 billion, as reported by a study conducted by World Wide Worx and Mastercard. The study also revealed that online shopping has grown from 27 per cent of adult South Africans in 2020 to 38 per cent in 2022.