The biggest bottleneck to electronic commerce in East Africa
Amazon, which has been said to be the world's largest online retailer , with custom presence in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Japan, and China saw consumers spend more than USD 1 billion via mobile devices in the period 2009 - 2010. Africa is missing from the list of regions where Amazon has a presence and this had led to many ventures seeking to fill this glaring gap. Internet penetration in Africa has been wanting but recent investments in undersea fibre cables to boost broadband access has served to expose more consumers to the power of the internet. Access to the internet via mobile devices has also grown , with mobile access more often than not being the first touch point. While there are many ecommerce services, few such as Kalahari from the well heeled Naspers Group would feature on common lists of well known initiatives. Why are these services not better ingrained into our daily fabric? Why haven't they taken off, yet they offer many benefits? Two thoughts on those questions; first I am of the opinion that we are yet to map the offline retail experience to digital platforms in a way that will shows consumers value and second, which I believe poses the largest challenge is the lack of a proper address system in East Africa. More here - bit.ly/q8JSXV
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
EMS provide a fair(both in terms of service and price) for door to door delivery and, you can always pick it up from the nearest post office if you prefer. I have sent stuff from Nairobi to as far as Msambweni town which is approximately 100 kilometres from the Kenya-Tazania border at Lunga lunga. On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:12 PM, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee. _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue Then lack of payment systems Now its the address ? :) On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device
How many Kenyans access the internet on a daily basis? On 9/29/11, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue
Then lack of payment systems
Now its the address ?
:)
On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Best Regards, James Mutuku Ndeti Agile Systems Limited +254722490994 www.agile.co.ke www.zetu.co.ke Has your organization implemented a customer relationship management (CRM)system? visit http://www.agile.co.ke/crm.php and find out how our CRM can help you achieve better customer satisfaction and sales
James Per CCK Q4 2010, there were 10 kenyans who use the net I would say 5m do it daily ... At work, school etc. On 9/29/11, James Mutuku <listmutuku@gmail.com> wrote:
How many Kenyans access the internet on a daily basis?
On 9/29/11, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue
Then lack of payment systems
Now its the address ?
:)
On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Best Regards, James Mutuku Ndeti Agile Systems Limited +254722490994 www.agile.co.ke www.zetu.co.ke
Has your organization implemented a customer relationship management (CRM)system? visit http://www.agile.co.ke/crm.php and find out how our CRM can help you achieve better customer satisfaction and sales _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Sent from my mobile device
Have a look at http://www.cck.go.ke/resc/statcs.html On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:42 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
James
Per CCK Q4 2010, there were 10 kenyans who use the net
I would say 5m do it daily ... At work, school etc.
On 9/29/11, James Mutuku <listmutuku@gmail.com> wrote:
How many Kenyans access the internet on a daily basis?
On 9/29/11, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue
Then lack of payment systems
Now its the address ?
:)
On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Best Regards, James Mutuku Ndeti Agile Systems Limited +254722490994 www.agile.co.ke www.zetu.co.ke
Has your organization implemented a customer relationship management (CRM)system? visit http://www.agile.co.ke/crm.php and find out how our CRM can help you achieve better customer satisfaction and sales _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards Brian Ngure
At the IGF Wangusi - CCK director gave a figure of 12 million while Alice Munyua - IGF Chairperson gave 11 million
I agree with @Agosta There are too many excuses. This eCommerce talk started way back in 1999 - 2000 just after the hullabaloo over the millennium bug subsided. I know people lurking herein who have presented numerous papers at many conferences at AITEC events, KICC, Safaripark, etc. The main issue is that people just don't know what this ecommerce thing is all about. In other words, if anyone can give me a good reason as to why I should buy my packet of Milk over the internet instead of buying it from my favorite kiosk I will keep buying it from the kiosk. Timo. On 9/29/11, Brian Ngure <brian@pixie.co.ke> wrote:
Have a look at http://www.cck.go.ke/resc/statcs.html
On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:42 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
James
Per CCK Q4 2010, there were 10 kenyans who use the net
I would say 5m do it daily ... At work, school etc.
On 9/29/11, James Mutuku <listmutuku@gmail.com> wrote:
How many Kenyans access the internet on a daily basis?
On 9/29/11, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue
Then lack of payment systems
Now its the address ?
:)
On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Best Regards, James Mutuku Ndeti Agile Systems Limited +254722490994 www.agile.co.ke www.zetu.co.ke
Has your organization implemented a customer relationship management (CRM)system? visit http://www.agile.co.ke/crm.php and find out how our CRM can help you achieve better customer satisfaction and sales _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards
Brian Ngure
have tried buying a book at kalahari but didn't because the shipping cost was too high. they said this is cos they ship from S.A and deliver to you. offered to pick from their offices got no response. On Sep 29, 2011 4:30 PM, "Timothy Mutugi" <timothymutugi@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree with @Agosta
There are too many excuses.
This eCommerce talk started way back in 1999 - 2000 just after the hullabaloo over the millennium bug subsided. I know people lurking herein who have presented numerous papers at many conferences at AITEC events, KICC, Safaripark, etc.
The main issue is that people just don't know what this ecommerce thing is all about.
In other words, if anyone can give me a good reason as to why I should buy my packet of Milk over the internet instead of buying it from my favorite kiosk I will keep buying it from the kiosk.
Timo.
On 9/29/11, Brian Ngure <brian@pixie.co.ke> wrote:
Have a look at http://www.cck.go.ke/resc/statcs.html
On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:42 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
James
Per CCK Q4 2010, there were 10 kenyans who use the net
I would say 5m do it daily ... At work, school etc.
On 9/29/11, James Mutuku <listmutuku@gmail.com> wrote:
How many Kenyans access the internet on a daily basis?
On 9/29/11, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue
Then lack of payment systems
Now its the address ?
:)
On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Best Regards, James Mutuku Ndeti Agile Systems Limited +254722490994 www.agile.co.ke www.zetu.co.ke
Has your organization implemented a customer relationship management (CRM)system? visit http://www.agile.co.ke/crm.php and find out how our CRM can help you achieve better customer satisfaction and sales _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards
Brian Ngure
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
John, There ways around this, at *Kalahari.co.ke* <http://www.kalahari.co.ke>we require a physical location, so you either give a residential address or an office address etc. When a customer sign up on kalahari they are also required to give a tell no where they can be reached. Our delivery is done by Fedex, they do door to door delivery anywhere in Kenya and on record we have not had any issues. Joyce On Thu, Sep 29, 2011 at 2:25 PM, Agosta Liko <agostal@gmail.com> wrote:
First we said lack of bandwidth was the issue
Then lack of payment systems
Now its the address ?
:)
On 9/29/11, John Maina <mwasjunior@gmail.com> wrote:
Lack of a proper address system is definitely the biggest barrier in my view, we need to explore a centralized address system similar to what has worked so well in Japan. You can order goods online and collect them in their equivalent of Nakumatt at a fee.
-- Sent from my mobile device _______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------ Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Joyce Lukwiya P.O Box 40402 00100 Nairobi
participants (10)
-
Agosta Liko -
amanya -
Brian Ngure -
Dennis Kioko -
James Mutuku -
John Maina -
Joyce Lukwiya -
Kiti Chigiri -
Mbugua Njihia -
Timothy Mutugi