Goodwell Investments, an impact investor focused on innovative businesses in emerging markets, has announced its recent investment in OmniRetail – a B2B e-commerce platform digitising sub-Saharan Africa’s informal supply chain.
Working with long-term partner Alitheia Capital, Goodwell invested via its uMunthu II fund, effectively kickstarting OmniRetail’s Series A fundraising round. The firm is proud to be the first to commit, underscoring its desire to support the growth of companies driving financial inclusion in underserved communities.
Founded in 2019, OmniRetail provides the necessary digital infrastructure to tackle some of the most pressing challenges within Africa’s commerce value chain, particularly by addressing the needs of informal retailers.
This often-overlooked group constitutes the backbone of commerce across sub-Saharan Africa, contributing significantly to the region’s GDP and providing livelihoods to millions of individuals. Despite their economic importance, these small businesses grapple with uncoordinated supply chains and fragmented distribution networks, hindering their growth and economic stability.
Archit Bagaria, Head of Investments at OmniRetail, encapsulated the company’s mission: “Africa deserves a robust digital infrastructure layered on top of the existing informal retail – the impact of which cannot be overstated. As the largest employer and the only ecosystem that can truly ensure efficient distribution of essential goods, healthcare, and financial inclusion – informal retail plays a very important role in the economies we want to transform. With support from Goodwell, one of the top impact funds focused on the continent, we are just getting started on our journey of a true digital infrastructure play that will impact and transform retail in Africa!”
Through its flagship platform, Omnibiz, and innovative tools like OmniPay and Mplify, OmniRetail equips retailers with essential resources and tools to procure products, build and access credit, and optimize their business for higher profitability and scale. With over 140,000 small retailers and 90 brands onboarded, the company is well-positioned to redefine the retail industry in the region.
With social impact at the core of its business model, OmniRetail is an ideal addition to Goodwell and Altitheia’s uMunthu II investment portfolio, which is dedicated to supporting local businesses providing essential goods and services to underserved populations.
Reflecting on the company’s potential for delivering positive impact, Oti Ilentamhen, Investment Principal at Alitheia commented, “With a strong focus on empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly women who make up 78% of its customer base, OmniRetail exemplifies the potential for technology-driven solutions to drive positive change in underserved communities. As the company continues to expand its reach and impact, encompassing distribution, logistics and financial services, it sets a compelling example for the broader investment community, showcasing the immense value of supporting businesses prioritising financial success and social responsibility.”
As OmniRetail continues its journey to modernise informal retail across West Africa, this investment will fuel the company’s expansion plans. In addition to strengthening its presence in Nigeria, OmniRetail has extended and is scaling its digital offerings to Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, to double in size by the end of 2024. Goodwell looks forward to partnering with OmniRetail throughout this exciting growth phase, supporting its vision to enable retailers and communities to thrive in the digital age.
