{
  "id": 19344207,
  "title": "Amazon sees South Africa’s online small businesses as its next growth opportunity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/amazon-sees-south-africas-online-small-businesses-as-its-next-growth",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-10T14:39:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCabal",
    "slug": "techcabal",
    "url": "https://techcabal.com/2026/11/10/amazon-south-africa-smes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amazon, the global marketplace and logistics company, is targeting South African small businesses as a potential growth opportunity for its platform. According to the Small Business Digital Adoption Report, commissioned by Amazon, 86% of surveyed South African small and medium-sized businesses generate sales online, but only 32% utilize major marketplaces for their e-commerce operations. The report also highlights logistics, delivery, and returns management as significant obstacles to growth for these businesses.\n\nArthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx, the research firm behind the report, noted that while many South African small businesses have moved beyond simply being online, they are now grappling with the complexities of managing growth, including costs, deliveries, and customer expectations.\n\nAmazon aims to assist these businesses in overcoming these challenges through its marketplace and logistics network. Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx, commented that Amazon's findings surprised them as they had initially anticipated a market still in the early stages of online adoption. Instead, they discovered a market that has progressed beyond the basics and is now facing a different set of challenges.\n\nSuzelle Abe, head of marketplace for Amazon South Africa, emphasized the importance of partnerships, networks, and tools to help businesses scale to the next level. Through Amazon's Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) program, sellers can outsource storage, picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns to Amazon's fulfillment network. This allows business owners to focus on their products and customers while Amazon handles operational tasks.\n\nHowever, outsourcing these activities comes with costs, particularly for small businesses already struggling with recurring digital expenses. Robert Koen, Amazon's managing director for sub-Saharan Africa, advised businesses to compare the full cost of operating their own e-commerce infrastructure with the fees charged by marketplaces. In many cases, using a marketplace can result in significant cost savings.\n\nKoen also mentioned that Amazon offers referral fees of around 5% and promotional fulfilment fee reductions to encourage South African businesses to join its marketplace. Even after accounting for these fees, the total cost of selling on Amazon can be advantageous for sellers.\n\nBeyond domestic sales, Amazon sees potential for its South African marketplace to serve as a launchpad for local businesses seeking to reach international customers. With Amazon operating marketplaces in 23 countries, eligible sellers can list their products in various markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Egypt, and more. This could generate additional export income and contribute to economic growth for South African businesses.\n\nTo support businesses in managing the complexities of international expansion, Amazon provides nearly 5,000 pickup points and AI-powered tools. Over the past decade, the company has invested over $2.5 billion in South Africa, with the aim of empowering local businesses through its e-commerce platform.",
  "summary": "Amazon’s latest report finds that 86% of surveyed South African small businesses sell online, but only 32% use major marketplaces. The company wants to close that gap through its marketplace, logistics network and seller support tools.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "title": "BMW is adding South Korean battery makers to cut its reliance on China",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/bmw-is-adding-south-korean-battery-makers-to-cut-its-reliance-on-china",
        "published": "2026-11-09T13:50:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Moneyweb",
        "title": "What China’s critical minerals relief means for South Africa",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/what-chinas-critical-minerals-relief-means-for-south-africa",
        "published": "2026-11-09T17:20:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}