Sudan Embracing E-commerce Plus The Nitty Gritty
There are obvious signs that within Sudan, a North African country, communities are now embracing various niches of technology, e-commerce included.
Going back in time, Sudan has always been active in commerce, especially in the trading of gold, cattle, wheat and many more, yet the nation has often come across challenges. Sudan at large was challenged with famine and drought, an event that led to several international debts, and an attempted expulsion from the International Monetary Fund in 1990.
Although the nation has not ultimately recovered from its trials and tribulations, as it still records a low GDP, yet, various tools are being embraced by citizens to aid individuals, families and communities’ financial situations, technology being a major tool.
Technology in Sudan
As of 2020 statistics, 20% of Sudan’s population has access to the internet, a basic element that can give maximum access to technology activities in any community. Although the majority of the citizens are mostly social-media active, the late Millennials and Generation Z are often tech-savvy.
Sudanese youths are much more interested in technology, unlike the older generation, there are various, although not enough, tech-initiative have been launched across the nation. Citizens are launching startups, bootstrapping and developing their communities with the use of technology. Although the impact within the communities might not be massive when compared to other African countries, yet, an impact is surely made.
Introducing E-commerce
Sudan is known to have 10% of its population involved in commerce. yet with such a small number, they are actively involved in the trade. This is one passion that has been tech-enabled.
The Northern African country is known to have a tangible amount of e-commerce startups, in fact, it is one of the booming tech businesses across the nation. Notables names in Sudan’s e-commerce include Alsoug.com, Buycarsuda, 360gifts, and Digitechstores.
The only feature that might seem to be a challenge is the integration of the final payment process. In 2022 research, reports show that Sudan is yet to embrace digital payment to a significant extent. Sudan is known to be a cash-payment country. Visa and Master cards launched in the country in 2021, marking the initiation of debit and credit cards.
Integration of this feature by the majority of the sophisticated platforms has not been fully achieved, which means the final payment of ordered products is done by cash as opposed to digital payments. In situations like this, payment as a confirmation of order cannot be achieved.
Mini E-commmerce Activites
Sophisticated platforms such as websites and mobile applications are not the only ways e-commerce has been embraced in Sudan. Citizens are also using social media to perform e-commerce activities.
Reports have shown that many youths in the North African nation would locally purchase, repackage, post and sell the items to social media users who cannot take the effort to purchase them physically themselves.
This practice became popular when the pandemic and lockdown hit forcing many into their homes. Without access to physical stores, traders took to social media to display their products, giving buyers access to view them online and in the end purchase them having to deliver to them at home.
E-commerce and Employment
With a 30% unemployment rate, citizens are naturally trying to reduce the statistics. Though not totally, the venture has been able to engage an ample amount of Sudanese youths boosting job creation.
Sophisticated platforms allow various Sudanese brands to showcase their products, giving clients the ability to compare prices and quality in one place, brands are actively making sales, they are engaged and therefore employed.
Mini e-commerce practices also provide access to a sales and profit-making avenue for citizens. Traders can easily make money off social media by uploading pictures of their items.
Delivery and logistics through e-commerce across the nation have also been impactful. As various items are being delivered, whether as an established company or as an individual, delivery activities are creating a profit-making avenue for the citizens. This is known to impact unemployment statistics across the nation.
Sudan might not be where it should be yet, in comparison with other African countries, but it seems to be on the path to its destination. Embracing e-commerce both as a nation and as a citizen gives a ray of hope, that there will be a better story to share soon.