Tim Steel: Copia CEO’s love affair with Africa
His career started at TNT Worldwide (now FedEx) and over several decades they posted him in Cyprus, Dubai and South Africa and then back to
Simplifying
E-commerce for 800 million Middle to Low-Income African Consumers
Simplifying
E-commerce for 800 million Middle to Low-Income African Consumers
Simplifying
E-commerce for 800 million Middle to Low-Income African Consumers
Kenya, Uganda,
and counting...
Copia is currently serving customers and rapidly growing in Kenya and Uganda with additional East African and West African countries expected in the next two years.
Simplifying
E-commerce for 750 million Middle to Low-Income Africans
Using a mobile application, a network of over 30,000 agents, and seamless logistics systems, Copia provides access to essential products at affordable prices to over 1.6 million customers.
Over 40,000
collection points
Over 1.9M
customers
800 million
MIDDLE TO LOW-INCOME AFRICAN CONSUMERS
our story
Copia is the only B2C E-Commerce Platform Built for the African Mass Market.
With a network of over 50,000 digital-enabled Agents across Kenya, two million customers and over 13 million orders to date, Copia provides a seamless shopping experience to all customers regardless of their income level, access to technology, or location. |
the customer journey
Copia makes it easy for consumers to order and receive goods. Here's how we do it
what we do
Copia is Leapfrogging Retail
We provide access to a previously underserved market of middle to low-income African consumers. People who do not have internet access can still make purchases through our digitally enabled agents and our frequently updated print product catalogues. Copia’s e-commerce platform is designed to meet the specific needs of Africa’s growing middle- to low-income consumers, saving them time and money.
Play Video
Tim Steel, CEO Copia Global
How Copia Works
Mobile & E-commerce
Copia leverages cutting-edge technology that links middle and low-income consumers to a variety of quality products that are delivered at their convenience. Consumers can now access life-enhancing products at affordable prices, saving them from travelling to urban retail centers or from simply not having access to them.
Logistics
Copia avails to its stakeholders (Agents, manufactures, and customers) a logistical ecosystem that allows for an efficient, seamless, and end-to-end linkage across the supply chain. This ecosystem is also linked to global manufacturers and is bringing high-quality products at the lowest possible cost to the customer.
Data & Analytics
Copia suppliers and manufacturers benefit from the sophisticated data collected. This data, associated analytics, and dashboards provide brands and stakeholders with critical information about the market landscape and consumption behaviors.
Fintech
By employing best-in-class payment options, Copia enables all consumers, even the unbanked, to transact through cash or mobile money.
Our Customer Channels
We serve our customers through three main channels:
Copia Agents
Copia Agents are small business owners in rural and peri-urban areas who are empowered to place orders on customers’ behalf, take payments, and serve as convenient delivery points.
USSD
Copia Customers who do not have access to smartphones or the internet are easily able use USSD short code *874# to buy essential goods.
Copia Website
Copia e-commerce website enables Customers to seamlessly browse through our catalogue of over 4000 products and place their orders.
Our Technology
Mobile ordering
Agents place orders using the Copia App and SMS technology. Each order includes the end customer phone number so that buying patterns can be analyzed.
Digital Payments
Agents make payments using mobile money.
Real Time Communication
Both Agents and customers receive order confirmations and delivery information through SMS.
Automated Processing
Order processing and fulfilment is automated in our custom-designed ERP.
QR Coding
Orders are QR coded and stickered to goods for scanability at all stages.
Mobile Delivery Tracking
Delivery teams use a Delivery App to confirm delivery to Agents.
Sophisticated Logistics Software
Warehousing and Logistics use advanced real-time dashboards to monitor progress on kitting and delivery
The Numbers
Facts and figures
Copia founded in 2013 to serve middle to low income African consumers
Over 1,100 employees as of June 2022
Over 50,000 Agents who serve as ordering & delivery points
81% of Copia Agents are women, contributing to the financial well-being of their communities
Serving over 1.9M+ Customers Today
More than 30% increased income for Agents while enhancing foot traffic to their shops
Delivers to Kenya’s middle to low-income population.
Copia in the News
News from across the Region
Copia Global Ranked #35 In The FT Ranking Of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies In 2023
Copia Global was featured in the Financial Times/Statista ranking of Africa’s fastest growing companies for the second year in a row, coming in at an
Copia Global Restructures to Focus on Kenyan Operations
Given the economic downturn and constrained capital markets are expected to continue for some time, Copia will double down on efforts to drive our founding
