E-commerce Export Guide
Africa's cross-border e-commerce is projected to reach $75B by 2030. Learn to sell African products globally through digital platforms, from marketplace selection to fulfillment and marketing.
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Type | Fees | Best For | Africa-Ready |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gloseg Marketplace | B2B Trade Platform | Commission-based | African commodities, bulk trade, verified B2B deals | Fully optimized for Africa - built for African exporters |
| Amazon Global Selling | Consumer Marketplace | 15% referral + FBA fees | Consumer goods, crafts, food | Limited - requires US/EU entity |
| Shopify | Own Store | $29-299/month + 2.9% payment | Brand building, D2C | Yes - Paystack/Flutterwave integration |
| Etsy | Artisan Marketplace | 6.5% transaction + listing fees | Handmade, artisan, vintage | Yes - direct seller access |
Fulfillment Models
Direct Shipping
Ship directly from Africa to end customer. Best for high-value, low-volume orders.
Pros
- Full control over quality
- Lower upfront cost
- No inventory risk
Cons
- Long delivery times (7-21 days)
- High per-unit shipping cost
- Returns are expensive
Best for: Custom/made-to-order products
3PL Warehouse (Destination)
Pre-ship inventory to a warehouse in destination country. Orders fulfilled locally.
Pros
- Fast delivery (1-3 days)
- Lower shipping per unit
- Easy returns handling
Cons
- Upfront inventory investment
- Storage fees
- Risk of unsold stock
Best for: Proven products with steady demand
Amazon FBA
Send inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers. Amazon handles storage, shipping, and returns.
Pros
- Prime badge = higher conversion
- Amazon handles logistics
- Global reach
Cons
- High fees (30-40% of price)
- Amazon controls customer relationship
- Strict packaging requirements
Best for: Consumer products for US/EU market
Dropshipping Partner
Partner with a local manufacturer/wholesaler in destination market who ships on your behalf.
Pros
- Zero inventory risk
- No warehousing cost
- Quick to test new markets
Cons
- Lower margins
- Less quality control
- Dependent on partner reliability
Best for: Market testing before committing
Digital Marketing Channels
Google Ads
Search and Shopping ads targeting product-specific keywords. High intent buyers.
Budget
$500-2000/month
Expected ROI
3-8x ROAS
Social Media (Instagram/TikTok)
Visual storytelling for artisan/handmade products. UGC content performs best.
Budget
$300-1500/month
Expected ROI
2-5x ROAS
Email Marketing
Nurture leads, abandoned cart recovery, and repeat purchase campaigns.
Budget
$50-300/month
Expected ROI
36x average ROI
SEO / Content Marketing
Blog content, product descriptions, and backlink building for organic traffic.
Budget
$200-1000/month
Expected ROI
Long-term compound
B2B LinkedIn
Targeted outreach to procurement managers. Best for bulk/commodity sales.
Budget
$500-2000/month
Expected ROI
Varies
Common Questions
Start Selling African Products Online
List your products on Gloseg's marketplace and reach global buyers instantly.
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