Afrikrea.com, a trailblazing e-commerce platform promoting African culture and fashion globally, has undergone a significant transformation, rebranding itself as ANKA Marketplace. The shift marks a new chapter for the company, reinforcing its commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs on the world stage.
The transition from Afrikrea to ANKA Marketplace signals more than just a change in name; it represents a strategic evolution towards a broader vision of supporting diverse industries across the continent. Alongside its existing suite of products, ANKA Pay and ANKA Shipping, the marketplace aims to facilitate African vendors in selling their products worldwide.
Despite the rebrand, the core mission of unleashing African entrepreneurship remains unchanged, with a renewed focus on creative spheres such as fashion, art, and fabrics. The move comes after Afrikrea.com’s closure announcement last week.
Founded in 2016 by Moulaye Taboure, Kadry Diallo, and Luc B. Perussault Diallo, Afrikrea quickly gained prominence as a platform bridging the gap between African artisans and global consumers. Its innovative approach garnered attention, leading to significant fundraising efforts and expansion plans.
In 2020, Afrikrea secured a $1 million investment led by the Africa-focused VC fund Saviu.vc, aiming to enhance its marketplace infrastructure and global reach. The platform’s dedication to empowering sellers resulted in over $50 million in sales across 6,000 shops spanning 101 countries.
May 2021 saw the introduction of ANKA, an all-in-one SaaS solution simplifying e-commerce operations for micro-retailers. The rebrand to ANKA in 2022 reflected a broader vision beyond fashion, coinciding with a $6.2 million pre-Series A round, demonstrating investor confidence.
Despite securing additional investments totaling $5 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco, and the French Public Investment Bank, Afrikrea faced market pressures leading to its closure. The reasons behind this decision remain undisclosed, leaving stakeholders and users bewildered.
However, the transformation of Afrikrea.com into ANKA Marketplace symbolizes resilience and commitment to its mission. As the platform steps into this new era, it aims to continue fostering African entrepreneurship, celebrating creativity, and connecting global audiences with the continent’s rich cultural heritage.
With ANKA Marketplace, the journey continues, fueled by a vision of growth, innovation, and empowerment for African entrepreneurs worldwide.
