In a strategic move to enhance Africa’s retail and supply chain infrastructure, Ghanaian retail-tech startup Tendo Technologies has acquired Shopa, a Ghana-based retail-tech company. The deal, structured as a combination of cash and stock, marks a significant step for Tendo in its mission to streamline supply chains across the continent.
Founded in 2021 by Felix Manford, Evans Boateng, Derrick Mungai, and Primerose Katena, Tendo connects individuals to suppliers, enabling them to launch online businesses with no initial capital. Tendo’s platform boasts a network of over 10,000 retail resellers in Ghana and Nigeria, where it expanded in 2022, serving over 42,000 customers across sectors like fashion, electronics, beauty, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
Shopa, also founded in 2021 by Michael Hammond, Frank Addae, and Ulrich Checkap, focuses on optimizing FMCG distribution by directly linking retailers with suppliers and manufacturers. With a network of more than 3,000 retailers in Ghana, Shopa brings advanced operational systems and expertise in informal market distribution to the table.
The Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce Accelerator backed both companies in 2021, and now, under Tendo’s ownership, Shopa will rebrand as Tendo Retail. This new division will be led by Shopa’s CEO and co-founder Frank Addae and aims to bring advanced technology to informal distributors across Africa.
“This partnership will allow us to leverage Tendo’s extensive resources and capabilities,” said Addae, expressing his enthusiasm for joining the Tendo team. “Our combined strengths will enable suppliers and manufacturers to tap into diverse retail channels, expanding both online and offline markets in ways previously unattainable.”
Shopa’s established network of offline distributors will enhance Tendo’s reach, connecting with its online platform to broaden product availability and new opportunities for African entrepreneurs. Tendo will now be able to offer a reliable supply of FMCG, which already accounts for over 30% of its business volume. This acquisition positions Tendo to create a more integrated retail ecosystem, opening online channels to distributors who have traditionally operated offline.
“We’re thrilled to bring Shopa, a pioneer in informal supply chain technology, into Tendo Technologies,” said Tendo’s CEO Felix Manford. “Our shared vision is to empower entrepreneurs by making supply chains more accessible. Together, Tendo and Shopa will transform Africa’s retail landscape and help businesses scale like never before.”
As Tendo and Shopa unite, they aim to empower Africa’s informal retail sector, providing tech-driven solutions that promise new growth avenues for local entrepreneurs and a more efficient, accessible supply chain across the continent.
