A Zimbabwean entrepreneur is preparing to launch a new e-commerce platform aimed at helping local businesses scale up and reach customers beyond the country’s borders, particularly within the growing diaspora market.
Tendai Nheta, the founder of Siyaso Online, told Fence Africa 24 that the platform is designed to digitise supply chains, not only in Zimbabwe but across the African continent. The goal, he said, is to make it easier for businesses to trade, grow and compete in an increasingly digital economy.
E-commerce is fast becoming one of Africa’s most important drivers of economic growth. By 2026, it is expected to play a central role in regional integration, job creation and financial inclusion. Across the continent, online marketplaces are changing how goods are bought and sold, opening up new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and offering consumers greater choice and convenience.
One of the biggest strengths of e-commerce is its ability to lower barriers to entry. Small businesses, including those run by young people and women, can access national and international markets without the heavy costs associated with physical shops. For many entrepreneurs, a digital storefront is the first real step into formal trade.
Africa’s young and increasingly tech-savvy population has helped accelerate this shift. With smartphone use rising and internet access improving, consumers are turning to online platforms to save time and reduce transport costs. The African e-commerce market is expected to attract more than half a billion users by 2025, underlining its scale and potential.
Zimbabwe, in particular, is well positioned to benefit. While the country is still early in its e-commerce journey, there are clear signs of readiness. In neighbouring South Africa, platforms such as Takealot have reshaped retail habits, supported by a growing logistics and delivery sector. Similar patterns are beginning to emerge further north, creating space for home-grown solutions.
Nheta describes Siyaso Online as more than just a marketplace. He sees it as a supply-chain ecosystem, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, transporters and buyers on one digital platform. The focus, he says, is on trust, verified sellers and efficient delivery — issues that have long challenged online trade in Zimbabwe.
The growth of e-commerce is also pushing wider adoption of digital payments, including mobile money and e-wallets. This is particularly significant in Africa, where many people remain outside the formal banking system. Secure online payments allow more people to participate in the economy and help businesses transact with customers across borders.
As the sector expands, it is also driving investment in supporting infrastructure. Logistics networks, warehousing, fulfilment centres and digital connectivity are all developing to meet demand. Governments and private companies are increasingly aware that efficient last-mile delivery is key to successful e-commerce.
Continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area are also using digital trade as a tool to boost intra-African commerce. By reducing trade barriers and encouraging standardised regulations, e-commerce platforms are helping to create a more integrated African market.
Looking ahead to 2026, Africa’s e-commerce sector is expected to continue growing and evolving, with innovation in mobile-first platforms, social commerce and data-driven services. For entrepreneurs like Tendai Nheta, platforms such as Siyaso Online represent an opportunity to ensure Zimbabwe is part of that future, not left behind by it.
