Retail & Wholesale
Transforming Africa’s Retail & Wholesale
Retailers and wholesalers in Africa are more than just trade, they’re lifelines of communities, markets, and local economies. From bustling city malls to roadside kiosks, this vibrant ecosystem faces evolving challenges: fragmented supply chains, reliance on informal processes, and rising consumer expectations for convenience and digital access.
At Smartfric, we’ve built solutions like Tartro ERP and integrated mobile payment systems that help the retail and wholesale sectors overcome these hurdles, enhance operational efficiency, and embrace digital transformation.
Why Digital is Critical for Retail & Wholesale in Africa
Complex Supply Chains & Fragmented Operations
Most retailers and wholesalers face broken supply chains and unconnected systems—leading to stock inconsistencies, logistical inefficiencies, and confusion across channels. Gartner reports that 66% of retailers struggle with application sprawl and system fragmentation, hindering real-time visibility into inventory, orders, and pricing.Data is Underutilised
Retailers are sitting on data mountains—from POS systems to mobile apps and loyalty programs—but 55% cite poor data quality and fragmentation as key blockers to data-driven decision-making.Rural & Informal Retailers Are Being Left Behind
Africa’s informal retail sector remains vital—it makes up 68% of total retail in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and employs 85% of the continent’s workforce. Many small shop owners still rely on paper to track sales, missing out on the benefits of inventory software or CRM tools.E-commerce & Mobile Payments are Rising
Digital payments are revolutionizing the retail experience—with mobile wallets, one-click checkouts, and BNPL models reducing cart abandonment and improving conversions. McKinsey expects African e-commerce to soar, fuelled by growing mobile access and youthful consumers.Infrastructure Challenges Persist
Reliable power and IT infrastructure continue to be major challenges across the continent—especially for retailers operating in underserved or rural regions.

How Smartfric Helps Retailers & Wholesalers Thrive
1. Tartrol ERP – Operational Brilliance, Delivered
Our Tartro ERP streamlines retail operations, inventory management, procurement, sales, and supply chain into one intelligent platform. This ensures accurate stock levels, seamless order fulfilment, and centralised insights for better planning and scalability.
2. Seamless Payment Integration
Smartfric systems integrate with mobile money platforms, card payments, and digital wallets, enabling frictionless in-store and online checkouts. This unlocks multiple payment options, reduces cart drop-offs, and increases customer satisfaction.
3. Data-Driven Retailing
With consolidated dashboards from Tartro, retailers can unlock the power of analytics—track purchase patterns, monitor product performance, and serve customers with loyalty programs or personalised offers.
4. Supporting Informal Retailers
We’re passionate about helping small traders—like kiosks and spaza shops—go digital. Through affordable, easy-to-use POS solutions, even informal businesses can begin tracking inventory, managing customer information, and accepting digital payments.
5. Built for Africa’s Realities
Our solutions account for power outages, low-bandwidth environments, and diverse consumer behaviours. Whether in a Kampala market or a township store, Smartfric tech is designed for reliability, speed, and relevance.
Real-World Insights and Context
In Kampala, formal retailers with POS and inventory tools outperformed informal counterparts that rely on manual tracking, boosting efficiency and customer satisfaction.
E-commerce in Africa surged from US$16.5 billion in 2017—and is projected to grow even further by 2025, powered by mobile access and a tech-savvy generation.
African retailers are planned to invest $300 million in cloud-based apps by 2025, to unify systems and strengthen omnichannel operations.
Why Smartfric Makes a Difference
Rooted in African Realities—We design for your market, your people, and your environment.
Human-Centered Technology—Our tools feel intuitive, seamless, and empowering to use.
Empowerment for All—Whether you’re a franchise, a wholesaler, or a street market trader, our products help you scale digital operations while keeping costs manageable.