#67: Sabi - How the B2B retail platform is providing business services to informal SMB retailers, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers in Nigeria and Africa
Afrobility: Africa Tech and BusinessJuly 27, 202302:18:24221.76 MB

#67: Sabi - How the B2B retail platform is providing business services to informal SMB retailers, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers in Nigeria and Africa

Overview: Today, we’re going to talk about Sabi, the B2B retail & supply chain services platform. We’ll explore the story across the following areas:

  1. Africa’s and Nigeria’s informal retail sector

  2. Sabi’s early history

  3. Product & monetization strategy

  4. Competitive positioning & potential exit options

  5. Overall Outlook.

This episode was recorded on July 23, 2023

Companies discussed: Sabi, Rensource, TradeDepot, Twiga Foods, Wasoko (Sokowatch), Omnibiz, Alerzo, & Marketforce

Business concepts discussed: Informal retail penetration, SMB retail OS, B2B Operating systems, Equity carve-outs, Power as a service, Channel margins & Supply chain logistics

Conversation highlights:

  • (01:00) - Sabi context

  • (06:30) - Africa and Nigeria informal retail context and background

  • (20:39) - Background on the founders

  • (30:04) - Quick Rensource detour - overview and background

  • (37:05) - Background on Sabi founding

  • (47:52) - Fundraising

  • (56:40) - Geographic expansion, partnerships and metrics, and growth

  • (1:10:15) - Product Strategy

  • (1:21:17) - How Sabi makes money

  • (1:32:06) - Competition and options for exit

  • (1:46:16) - Bankole’s overall thoughts and outlook

  • (1:55:59) - Olumide’s overall thoughts and outlook

  • (2:07:49) - Recommendations and small wins


Olumide’s recommendations & small wins:


Bankole’s recommendations & small wins:


Listeners: We’d love to hear from you. Email info@afrobility.com with feedback!

Founders & Operators: We'd love to hear about what you're working on, email us at info@afrobility.com

Investors: It would be great to link up with you. Contact us at info@afrobility.com


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