B2B distribution tech Africa: 2026

B2B distribution tech Africa expands in 2024-2026 beyond FMCG (Wasoko, TradeDepot) to specialized verticals: pharmacy (mPharma), building materials (Kapu, BuildIt), agri-inputs (Apollo, Tulaa), beauty/cosmetics, restaurant supply. Each vertical = 5-50B$ Africa market.

TL;DR

- Africa B2B distribution: 2024+ verticalization.

- Pharma: mPharma, BuildIt, Apollo Agriculture vertical leaders.

- Each vertical: 5-50B$ market.

- Similar model: app + logistics + credit + sourcing.

Pharma distribution

mPharma (Ghana, multi)

• 9 Africa countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Gabon
• Pharmacy networks: Mutti franchise + independent
• Funding: 60M$+ raised (Bain Capital Ventures, Aspen Cardinal, etc.)
• Model: revenue cycle management + pharma supply chain

Lifestores Healthcare (Nigeria)

• 200+ Nigeria pharmacies
• Centralized supply chain + retail expansion
• Funding: 8M$+

Others

• Sokowatch Health (Kenya) — pivoted
• Africa Health Holdings — multi-segments

Building materials

Kapu (Kenya)

• Group buying retailers building materials
• Construction supply chain
• $30M+ raised, Nigeria expansion

BuildIt (Nigeria)

• Marketplace + materials delivery
• Important diaspora buyers

Materru (Nigeria)

• Prices comparison + sourcing

Africa tools, hardware

• Lagos Aluminium markets digital
• Senegal traditional hardware pivots to B2B online

Agri-inputs

Apollo Agriculture (Kenya)

• Smartphone smallholder bundle app
• Inputs + insurance + advisory + buyback
• 100K+ farmers, $40M+ raised

Tulaa (Kenya)

• Inputs financing focus
• Mobile money disbursement

Babban Gona (Nigeria)

• Maize farmer consortium
• Premium model

OCP Africa

• Major Africa fertilizers
• Direct distribution + smallholder programs

Beauty / cosmetics

Eden Beauty (Africa)

• Premium cosmetics distribution
• Diaspora + urban Africa

Glamora (Egypt)

• Beauty e-commerce + B2B
• Cairo, Alexandria

Africa beauty brands distribution

• Naivas Beauty (Kenya), premium hair / skin distribution

Restaurant supply

Africa restaurant supply

• Nairobi: Eden Provisions, Cape Eats
• Lagos: Glovo Business, FoodCourt supply
• Cairo: Glovo Business
• App models + critical cold chain

Common business model

Different verticals, similar model:

• App retailers / clients sourcing
• Catalog digital SKUs
• Logistics own or partner
• Credit short-term (embedded BNPL)
• Sourcing direct brands / producers
• Mobile money integration

Typical tech stack

• Mobile app Android-first
• WMS warehouse management
• AI routing logistics
• AI credit scoring
• Brand partnership APIs
• WhatsApp customer support

2024-2026 funding climate

• Africa B2B distribution: 200M$+ cumulative raised
• Tier 1 VCs: Tiger Global (Wasoko), Quona, Partech, Endeavor Catalyst
• DFIs: IFC, AfDB
• Tightening conditions vs 2021-22 peak but sustained interest

Challenges

• Profitability: thin margins, unit economics challenges
• Inflation / devaluation: Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya
• Intense competition: verticals emerge rapidly
• Logistics costs: fuel, infrastructure
• Credit defaults: 5-15% typical

FAQ

Q: Most promising verticals?

A: Pharma (essential health), agri-inputs (food security), building materials (urbanization). Premium cosmetics niche.

Q: Africa-native B2B builders?

A: Uncovered verticals (auto parts, textiles, specialized restaurant supply), geographies (less covered Francophone Africa), B2B API platforms.

Conclusion

2026 Africa B2B distribution tech: rapid post-FMCG verticalization. mPharma, Apollo, Kapu, BuildIt vertical leaders. Similar model: app + logistics + credit + sourcing. Each vertical 5-50B$ market. For builders, uncovered verticals + less served geographies + B2B API platforms = massive Africa-native opportunities.