Why E-commerce is Thriving in South Africa

South Africa’s ecommerce sector is expected to exceed USD21 billion by 2025, with more than one billion transactions per year. This is largely due to the proliferation of smart devices and the expansion of internet connectivity which has created a viable environment for e-commerce to thrive in the country. 

Additionally, the increasing integration of e-commerce platforms with various advanced technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics is also significantly driving the growth of the South African e-commerce market. As a result, the country is becoming a significant player in the global e-commerce industry.  

Indeed, the rise of e-commerce in South Africa holds immense opportunities for businesses looking to enter the market. Further, the development presents useful learning points for other countries, such as Nigeria and Kenya, among others, all of which this SeerBit whitepaper exhaustively explores.

Factors Driving E-commerce Growth in South Africa 

E-commerce growth in South Africa has been driven by several factors, including increased internet access, improved payment options and the convenience and efficiency of online shopping. 

1. Increased internet access: Mobile penetration among South African consumers is higher than ever, as indicated by research results from a Geopoll survey conducted in 2020 showing that 45 percent of the South African population browsed the internet on their smartphones for more than four hours a day.  The study also revealed that South Africa is one of the biggest adopters of mobile technology in sub-Saharan Africa, with higher rates of smartphone adoption than in most other countries in the region. In terms of total numbers, there are 46.9 million smartphone subscriptions in South Africa, which accounts for users who have multiple phones. As of January 2024, there were 45.34 million active internet users in South Africa. 

2. Convenience and efficiency of online shopping: For South African consumers, convenience is key when it comes to choosing which online platforms to purchase from. This reduced need to visit a physical store was also identified in a research paper published by Deloitte. The research found that 26 percent of consumers in South Africa said they prefer to shop online because it is more convenient.  

3. Improved payment options: The integration of wallets, bank apps and shopping apps has made browsing through virtual shopping aisles easier than ever before. Digital wallets have become an entry point for consumers to engage with financial services, thereby creating new opportunities to target the under-served banking population. Also, as South Africans become more comfortable with the concept of online shopping, their appetite for e-commerce solutions continues to increase.
   
   

Overcoming Challenges Faced by E-commerce Businesses in South Africa 

Despite South Africa’s strong e-commerce growth, the WEF has noted that e commerce entrepreneurs are challenged by issues such as low consumer trust and e-skills, low internet penetration and affordability, uncompetitive delivery infrastructure, fragmented markets and barriers to cross-border e-payments. 

1. Low Trust of Online Platforms 

Many South Africans still do not trust online stores with their personal payment details. This stems from lack of knowledge about online payment systems and advanced security measures. In order to overcome this mistrust, merchants should use a PCI DSS certified payment service provider (PSP) that meets high security standards and keeps customer information safe. If customers understand how online fraud is prevented and the techniques that are used to prevent security breaches or fraud attempts, they are more likely to trust an e-commerce website with their payment information. 

2. High Cost of Data and Internet Penetration 

South Africans pay up to USD5.29 per gigabyte (GB) of data, a cost equivalent to nearly four hours work for people earning the minimum wage. That compares with about USD1.53 per gigabyte in North Africa and USD2.47 in Western Europe, according to research by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation charity that highlights, among other topics, sub-Saharan Africa's sky-high data costs.  The region has the world's most expensive mobile data prices, according to the Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing 2021 report. 

3. Issues with delivery infrastructure

Logistics is already a vital part of any retailer’s business plan, but its importance will continue to grow as the use of e-commerce for transactions increases. For stores to be efficient, they must be able to respond quickly and accurately to be able to deliver the correct products to customers on time. Now more than ever an efficient supply chain is needed that gives a high level of service across all channels. 

The Role of Technology in Shaping South Africa’s E-commerce Landscape 

Technology has become an integral part of every aspect of life, and the retail industry in South Africa is no exception. As consumer expectations continue to evolve, retailers are embracing innovative technologies to enhance the shopping experience and stay ahead of the competition. 

Emerging technologies including contactless payments, virtual and augmented reality experiences, AI and mobile payments are all having a profound impact on e-commerce in the country. 

Conclusion 

The growth of South Africa’s e-commerce industry will likely surpass projections, thanks to the country’s growing appetite for online shopping. The penetration of smartphones, access to data, increased number of platforms and products as well as evolving regulation supporting the industry are significant factors contributing positively to the growth of the industry.  There has never been a better time for businesses to enter the e-commerce market in South Africa.  

This SeerBit whitepaper casts a deeper look at the trends, factors, future prospects and leading players transforming South Africa into the continent’s biggest e-commerce market.

Click HERE to access the full whitepaper.