OmniRetail, a leading African B2B e-commerce platform, has appointed Steve Dakayi as Country Lead for Ivory Coast, marking a significant move in its expansion into Francophone Africa.
Dakayi, who previously founded and ran BetaStore, a B2B e-commerce startup launched in 2020, brings over a decade of experience in the e-commerce sector, including key roles in Jumia as commercial and fulfillment lead. His expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in OmniRetail’s strategic entry into key Francophone markets.
OmniRetail’s Head of Retail Division, Amber Yadav, emphasized the company’s expansion strategy, noting the importance of exploring new markets once a strong foundation is established. “We are targeting geographies that align with our growth objectives in Francophone Africa, such as Cameroon, Senegal, and Ivory Coast,” Yadav said.
This expansion mirrors a trend among B2B e-commerce companies like Wasoko, who are also eyeing the region. Francophone Africa’s appeal lies in its stable currency, pegged to the Euro, and robust economic growth, with six out of the seven fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa being Francophone, according to the IMF.
Dakayi highlighted the underestimated potential of Francophone Africa, citing significant middle-class growth and evolving consumption patterns as key drivers of economic expansion. He believes OmniRetail’s focus on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) will resonate well in these markets.
“We are not concerned with competition; our focus is on building a business driven by strong unit economics,” Dakayi stated. He underscored the importance of forming strong partnerships and maintaining an asset-light approach to ensure profitability in these new regions.
Reporting directly to OmniRetail CEO Deepankar Rustagi, Dakayi will lead the company’s Francophone expansion, starting with Ivory Coast. His appointment comes as OmniRetail sharpens its focus on profitability, having been recently recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies of 2024.
