MallforAfrica adds Chinese vendors to e-commerce platform

African shopping platform MallforAfrica – which sources “billions of items” from United States and United Kingdom-based retailers – has opened a warehouse in China and will now make Chinese products available through its online shopping app, connecting African consumers to the Chinese e-commerce market.

Once goods are purchased, customer orders are fulfilled from MallforAfrica warehouses located in the U.S., U.K. or China via the company’s courier partners to either a pickup location, or directly to the customer’s door.

“Since 2009, China has become Africa’s largest trading partner,” said Chris Folayan, CEO of MallforAfrica. “Opening a warehouse in one of the largest cities [in China] and adding Chinese brands to our platform was the next step for an ever-growing company.”

According to the Ministry of Commerce, in 2017, trade between Africa and China grew 19 percent and exports from China to Africa increased 3 percent to nearly $47 billion. With a growing economy and burgeoning e-commerce volumes driving demand for express delivery, it wouldn’t be surprising to witness carriers add or increase routes to Africa in coming months.