#66: TradeDepot - How the B2B retail platform is improving the supply chain for informal SME retailers and consumer goods producers across Nigeria and Africa

Overview: Today, we’re going to talk about TradeDepot. We’ll explore the story across the following areas: Africa’s and Nigeria’s informal retail sector TradeDepot's early history Product & monetization strategy Competitive positioning & potential exit options Overall Outlook. This episode was recorded on June 25, 2023 Companies discussed: TradeDepot, Twiga Foods, Wasoko (Sokowatch), Omnibiz, Alerzo, Marketforce, Sabi, Multipro, FMCG Distributions Limited & Kellogg Business concepts discussed: Informal retail penetration, SMB retail OS, B2B Operating systems, Informal markets, B2B retail, Buy Now Pay Later, Trade Finance & last-mile distribution Conversation highlights: (01:00) - TradeDepot intro and why we’re talking about them  (06:50) - Africa’s informal retail sector (20:55) - Differences in informal retail across Africa  (25:43) - Founders’ background and early history (36:45) - Launch strategy (42:54) - Fundraising and Growth (49:55) - Growth and geographical expansion (1:02:33) - Product strategy and evolution (1:15:26) - Monetization strategy and costs (1:13:11) - Competition (1:25:05) - Options for exit (1:32:52) - Bankole’s overall thoughts and outlook (1:42:22) - Olumide’s overall thoughts and outlook (1:53:03) - Recommendations and small wins Olumide’s recommendations & small wins: Interested in investing in Africa Tech with Olumide: Read about Adamantium fund & contact me at [email protected]. Founders looking for funding: If you're a B2B founder working on Education, Health, Finance or food, please contact me for funding at [email protected] Checkout my FIREDOM book = FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) + Freedom = personal finance and financial independence book. Website, Read: Substack Newsletter & Buy: Print, eBook or Audiobook) Recommendation: Eleven Rings (Phil Jackson). Great book about the unbelievable career of Phil Jackson who won rings with the Bulls (Michael Jordan) & Lakers (Shaq & Kobe). Recommendation: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie. Best movie I’ve seen in years. Remarkably good. Great story. Great visuals. Fun! Small win: Friends together for a birthday party on a boat and at the club. It was incredible. Small win: FIREDOM book launch party in Washington DC. I wasn't even there but I felt the energy all the way from here in Miami. Bankole’s recommendations & small wins: Recommendation: Voyager Playlist, Basquiat - Asake & Iya Eba’s Legacy Small win: Switched to a new keyboard - the Keychron K2  Listeners: We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] with feedback! Founders & Operators: We'd love to hear about what you're working on, email us at [email protected] Investors: It would be great to link up with you. Contact us at [email protected] Join our insider mailing list where we get feedback on new episodes & find all episodes on Afrobility.com