Commerce in Africa: shops, stores and retail services

3 discussions in Commerce in Africa: shops, stores and retail services

Commerce in Africa includes a wide variety of shops, retail stores and commercial outlets serving everyday needs. In big cities and throughout the country, these businesses cover food retail, equipment, services and specialized sales for individuals and professionals alike.

Appliance Store

Home appliances and household equipment stores

Bookstores

Textbooks, novels, children’s books and stationery

Cosmetic Products

Wholesale and retail cosmetics, skincare, makeup and perfumery in Africa

Coworking & Business center

Coworking, serviced offices, meeting rooms and business address services

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning, laundry, ironing, stain removal, starching and delivery

E-commerce

E-commerce stores, payments, delivery and order management

Florists

Fresh bouquets and floral decor for events and businesses

Funeral Services

Mortuary care, body transport, coffins, burial or cremation

General trade

Multi-sector suppliers for industry, construction, offices and retail

Haberdashery

Buttons zips threads ribbons and sewing notions

Hardware stores

Tools, plumbing, electrical and building supplies

Jewelry

Gold, diamonds, bridal rings, custom design and jewelry repairs

Lottery

Lottery kiosks and official lottery operators

Office furniture

Desks chairs storage meeting tables partitions

Office supplies

Stationery, paper, filing, printer consumables and desk accessories

Perfumery shops

Authentic fragrances, oriental perfumes, gift sets and online delivery

Photo labs

Digital photo printing, ID photos and large-format prints

School supplies

Suppliers of stationery and school essentials for back to school

Shopping malls

Retail, dining, leisure and services in one location

Stationery

Office and school stationery, paper and printer supplies in bulk

Supermarkets

Groceries fresh food and daily essentials

Tobacco - Cigarettes

Retail shops for cigarettes tobacco e-cigarettes and vape accessories

Toy and game stores

Toys, board games, educational play and video games

A key commercial ecosystem in Africa

Commerce in Africa forms the backbone of local economic activity. It brings together independent shops, structured retail networks and specialized stores operating across multiple sectors such as food retail, household equipment, fashion, personal services and professional supplies.

Retail businesses in big cities and nationwide

In big cities, as well as in , , , and , commercial activities address the needs of both households and businesses. This includes supermarkets, shopping centers, hardware stores, bookstores, cosmetic shops, laundries, office supply stores and general trade outlets.

Commerce adapted to modern consumption habits

Retail businesses in Africa continue to evolve with changing consumer expectations. Physical stores, proximity services, personalized advice and the growth of online sales now coexist, allowing merchants to remain accessible, competitive and efficient.

A driver of local economic development

Located in city centers, neighborhoods and commercial zones, commerce plays a central role in employment, urban vitality and regional development. It connects producers, suppliers and consumers while supporting sustainable economic growth throughout Africa.

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