TradeDepot
Founded
2016 in Lagos, Nigeria — TradeDepot was created to digitize and Africa’s fragmented retail distribution system by connecting consumer goods brands to the massive informal network of neighborhood retailers via an integrated digital platform.
Founders & Leadership
Onyekachi Izukanne — Co-Founder & CEO
Michael Ukpong — Co-Founder
Ruke Awaritefe — Co-Founder
Location
Lagos, Nigeria — with operations across Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, and plans for continued pan-African expansion.
Industry
B2B E-Commerce / Embedded FinTech & Retail Distribution — focused on digitizing and financing inventory supply chains for small and medium retail outlets in Africa.
Overview
TradeDepot is a B2B e-commerce and embedded finance platform that streamlines distribution of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) from global and local suppliers directly to small retail outlets across African cities. Through its flagship ShopTopUp platform, retailers can order stock via mobile app, WhatsApp, USSD, or call, and receive timely deliveries via TradeDepot’s logistics network. By combining e-commerce, logistics, and data analytics, the company enables brands like Nestlé, Unilever, GB Foods, and Danone to reach informal and semi-formal retailers at scale while also offering credit facilities that allow retailers to access inventory on flexible terms.
Core Features & Capabilities
Digital Commerce Platform: Retailers order a wide range of consumer goods online or via mobile channels.
Inventory Finance & Buy-Now-Pay-Later: Credit lines that help retailers buy inventory and pay as they sell — expanding purchasing power.
Logistics & Delivery: Integrated last-mile delivery using TradeDepot’s fleet of vans and tricycles.
Data & Insights: Retail and distribution data analytics that help suppliers and retailers optimize stock management and sales.
Multi-Channel Access: Orders can be placed via mobile apps, USSD, WhatsApp, or call, increasing accessibility for informal retailers.
Target Market
Neighborhood Retailers & Shop Owners across urban and peri-urban Africa who need a reliable supply of consumer goods.
Consumer Goods Brands & Distributors seeking direct access to fragmented retail channels.
SME Retailers Without Traditional Credit Access, who benefit from inventory financing and flexible payment options.
Value Proposition
TradeDepot’s platform tackles the long-standing inefficiencies in Africa’s informal retail sector by providing a technology-driven distribution and financing ecosystem that:
Reduces supply chain costs and inefficiencies by digitizing ordering and delivery.
Expands market access for FMCG brands into underserved and informal retail networks.
Empowers small retailers with embedded credit and flexible pay-later terms, enabling them to grow inventory and sales without traditional collateral.
Improves decision-making for suppliers and retailers through real-time data on orders, sales, and market demand.
This blend of commerce, financing, data, and logistics increases revenue opportunities for retailers, enhances operational efficiency for brands, and drives broader economic participation in Africa’s $1 trillion+ offline retail market.