E-commerce platform MaxAB-Wasoko buys out Fatura, speeding up its Africa-wide expansion strategy.
MaxAB-Wasoko, an Africa-focused retail e-commerce and supply chain platform, has made a strategic move by acquiring Fatura, an Egypt-based B2B e-marketplace. This acquisition is set to consolidate B2B commerce and fintech across Africa, enhancing embedded lending infrastructure, expanding geographic reach, and digitising informal retail markets.
Belal El-Megharbel, CEO of MaxAB-Wasoko, expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating that it realises their ambition to become the go-to, one-stop-shop for retailers in Africa. Fatura, with its marketplace model, complements MaxAB-Wasoko's full-stack supply chain, from procurement to last-mile delivery.
Fatura has onboarded 626+ wholesalers across 16 cities, including 5 new cities for MaxAB-Wasoko. This expansion strengthens MaxAB-Wasoko's network and footprint in a key North African market. The deal also sees EFG Finance, a subsidiary of EFG Holding, become a significant shareholder in MaxAB-Wasoko. Aladdin ElAfifi, CEO of EFG Finance, stated that the integration will fuel growth and demonstrates their fintech commitment.
The acquisition is expected to contribute 25% of MaxAB's Egypt revenue by the end of 2025. Fatura's marketplace will be integrated and rebranded under MaxAB-Wasoko. This move is aimed at driving topline growth and operational efficiencies over the next 12-18 months.
The fintech arm of MaxAB-Wasoko has doubled its business in Egypt and has expanded into Morocco. By integrating Fatura's fintech capabilities, MaxAB-Wasoko advances its goal of digitising informal retailers, a vital segment in African B2B commerce, supporting better credit access and digital transactions.
This convergence of fintech and e-commerce under one operational umbrella facilitates a more resilient, scalable, and capital-efficient business model in the continent's challenging retail ecosystem. The acquisition positions MaxAB-Wasoko as a leading pan-African player combining digital marketplace growth with embedded financial services, driving innovation in informal retail digitisation and B2B commerce profitability.
Retailers will now have broader access to credit and embedded financial services through MaxAB-Wasoko. This latest move signals MaxAB-Wasoko's intent to dominate Africa's B2B e-commerce space. The company's goal remains to build a tech-powered future for retail across the continent. Since merging in 2024, MaxAB and Wasoko have been on a mission to unify fragmented supply chains and retail ecosystems. This acquisition is a significant step in MaxAB-Wasoko's plan to consolidate B2B commerce and fintech across Africa.
Fatura operates an asset-light, scalable marketplace model. The integration of Fatura is expected to bring about significant changes in the African B2B e-commerce landscape, making MaxAB-Wasoko a formidable player in the industry.
Technology will play a vital role in MaxAB-Wasoko's mission to digitize informal retail markets across Africa, as they integrate Fatura's fintech capabilities to advance their vision of a tech-powered future for retail. This convergence of fintech and e-commerce under one operational umbrella facilitates a more resilient, scalable, and capital-efficient business model in the continent's challenging retail ecosystem.
