Tendo Technologies, a Ghanaian retail-tech startup known for empowering individuals to build online businesses, has announced its acquisition of fellow retail platform Shopa in a cash and stock deal. This acquisition marks a milestone in the African retail ecosystem, as the combined entity is set to reshape supply chain accessibility and efficiency across the continent.
Founded in 2021 by Felix Manford, Evans Boateng, Derrick Mungai, and Primerose Katena, Tendo connects aspiring entrepreneurs with suppliers, enabling them to launch online businesses without upfront capital. The platform boasts a robust network of over 10,000 retail resellers across Ghana and Nigeria, where it expanded in 2022. Today, Tendo supports more than 42,000 customers with products ranging from electronics and fashion to beauty and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).
In contrast, Shopa, founded by Michael Hammond, Frank Addae, and Ulrich Checkap in 2021, has built its reputation on optimizing FMCG distribution by directly linking retailers with suppliers and manufacturers. With advanced operational systems and a network of more than 3,000 retailers in Ghana, Shopa complements Tendo’s model by adding powerful offline distribution capabilities.
Both companies have previously received support from the Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce Accelerator, but with this acquisition, Tendo has brought Shopa into its fold. The merger is aimed at streamlining the informal supply chain infrastructure in Africa, tapping into Tendo’s extensive reseller network and Shopa’s distribution technology.
As part of the acquisition, Shopa will rebrand to Tendo Retail—a newly formed division of Tendo that will be led by Shopa’s CEO and co-founder, Frank Addae. This division will focus on equipping informal distributors with advanced technology to scale their businesses. By leveraging Shopa’s offline distributor network, Tendo aims to deepen its offerings and expand product accessibility, unlocking new business opportunities for suppliers and distributors who have operated largely offline until now.
“This partnership is a game-changer for us,” stated Felix Manford, CEO of Tendo. “Integrating Shopa’s robust offline distribution with Tendo’s online retailer network lets us create a seamless supply chain across Africa, empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs to start and scale their ventures without the traditional barriers.”
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The acquisition also aligns with Tendo’s focus on FMCG, which already contributes over 30% to the platform’s total volume. Tendo will leverage this partnership to ensure consistent product supply for resellers while enabling FMCG distributors to access Tendo’s network of over 10,000 online resellers. This integration will also allow traditional FMCG distributors, who have previously operated in offline markets, to unlock new online sales channels through Tendo.
Frank Addae, Shopa’s CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the merger, saying, “Joining Tendo allows us to leverage their resources and scale our impact across Africa. We are bringing together a shared vision and value system that will transform informal retail in Africa by providing suppliers with new opportunities to reach a diverse market through online and offline channels.”
By combining Tendo’s expansive reach with Shopa’s technological infrastructure, the partnership is set to revolutionize Africa’s retail landscape. The acquisition enables Tendo to reinforce its mission of making supply chains accessible to all, positioning both companies at the forefront of Africa’s digital commerce and informal market transformation.
