Best Online Shopping Sites in Africa: A Country-by-Country Guide

Online shopping in Africa looks different from one country to the next, because each market has its own mix of marketplaces, payment habits and delivery networks. This guide lists the best-known online shopping sites in Africa by country, based on what we could confirm, and explains how to shop safely wherever you are. It also shows how to compare sites fairly, since the best option for a phone in Lagos may not be the best option for groceries in Nairobi.

Disclosure: this guide is published by Comilmart's team. Comilmart is a marketplace that connects buyers with verified sellers across Africa, so we have an interest in the topic. We name other sites for information only, we have not tested every one, and we do not rank them. Stores change their service areas, so always check the live website before you order.

How we picked the sites in this guide

African ecommerce platforms differ a lot in size and reach, so this guide is about helping you buy online in Africa with fewer surprises, not about crowning a winner.

We only named stores that we could confirm exist and operate in the country listed. Where we could not confirm that a site serves a country today, we left it out. We do not state delivery areas, fees, ratings or prices, because those change and are best checked on the store's own pages. That means this list is a starting point, not a complete directory. Many strong local sellers operate through social media, local marketplaces and specialist shops that are not listed here.

Jumia: the pan-African marketplace

Jumia is the best-known pan-African e-commerce platform. According to its 2026 media kit, Jumia operates in eight countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Uganda. It describes itself as a platform that connects consumers with thousands of sellers across many categories, supported by its own logistics network and partners. Trade press also reports that Jumia has wound down operations in some countries, including South Africa, Tunisia and, in early 2026, Algeria. Because a company can change where it operates, confirm that Jumia currently serves your city before you plan a purchase around it.

Online shopping sites by country

Nigeria

Jumia operates in Nigeria and is a common starting point for electronics, fashion and household items. Many Nigerian shoppers also buy through social media sellers and local marketplaces. Our dedicated guide to the best online shopping sites in Nigeria goes deeper into the options and what to check.

Ghana

Jumia lists Ghana among its markets. For a closer look at where Ghanaian shoppers buy, including how to judge a seller, see our guide to the best online shopping sites in Ghana.

Kenya

Jumia operates in Kenya, and Kilimall, an e-commerce platform founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, has been reported in the Kenyan business press as a general merchandise marketplace. Check that each site is currently active and which areas it delivers to. Our article on the best online shopping sites in Kenya has more detail.

South Africa

Takealot is a large, long-established South African online retailer selling general consumer goods. South Africa also has retail chains that run their own online stores. Jumia has reported closing its South African operations, so local platforms are the main option there. See our guide to the best online shopping sites in South Africa for more.

Egypt and Morocco

Jumia states that it operates in Egypt and Morocco, and trade press describes them as its remaining North African markets. We have not verified other platforms in those countries for this guide, so check local options as well.

Uganda, Senegal and Ivory Coast

Jumia lists all three among its markets. Availability of categories and delivery coverage may be narrower outside the biggest cities, so check the site for your location.

Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia

We could not confirm a major pan-African platform operating in these countries today, so we are not naming one. Local marketplaces, social commerce and specialist shops are common. If you buy from a seller you find on social media, apply the safety checks below even more carefully.

How to shop safely online in Africa

1. Check the site is genuine. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a link in a message. Fake shops often copy the look of real ones.
2. Read the product page carefully. Look for clear photos, a full description, brand and model details and a plain return policy.
3. Be careful with prices that look too good. Extremely low prices for popular items are a common scam signal.
4. Check the seller. On a marketplace, look at the seller's history and reviews, and buy within the platform where possible.
5. Keep conversations and payments on the platform. Sellers who push you to pay by direct transfer or move to another app are a warning sign.
6. Keep records. Save receipts, order numbers and chat messages in case of a dispute.
7. Inspect on delivery. Where pay-on-delivery is offered, check the item before you pay.

Our scam alert page lists warning signs worth knowing.

Payment methods you will see

Payment options vary by country and by store. Common ones include bank cards, bank transfer, mobile money wallets, and in some markets pay on delivery. Mobile money, such as M-Pesa in Kenya, is widely used for everyday payments in East Africa, and card payments are common among online shoppers elsewhere. Not every store accepts every method, and the methods on offer can change.

A few safety points apply everywhere:

• Prefer methods that offer some form of dispute process over sending money directly to an individual.
• Never share card PINs, one-time passwords or mobile money PINs with anyone, including someone claiming to be customer support.
• Check that the payment page is secure before you enter card details.
• Use the same name on your account and delivery details, so that couriers and support can match your order.

Marketplaces versus single-brand stores

Marketplaces list products from many sellers, which gives choice but means quality and service can vary between sellers. Single-brand and large retailer sites control more of the experience but may have a narrower range. Neither is automatically better. For something expensive, such as a phone or appliance, check warranty terms and whether the seller is the brand's authorised dealer. For everyday items, compare total cost including delivery, and compare delivery options for your location.

Buying for resale or for your business

If you are buying in larger quantities, consumer sites may not give you the best terms. Wholesale buyers often work with suppliers or manufacturers directly and ask for written quotes. Comilmart is one place where buyers can post a sourcing request and receive offers from verified suppliers, and you can also browse the catalogue. Treat that as one option among several and compare quotes whichever route you choose.

Cross-border online shopping in Africa

Buying from a store in another country adds duties, taxes, shipping time and sometimes limits on what can be sent. Before you order from abroad, check whether the seller ships to your country, who pays import duty, and what happens if the parcel is held at customs. If the item is valuable, ask whether shipping is tracked and insured. Do not assume that a site available in your country sells the same range or prices as its version in another country.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best online shopping sites in Africa? It depends on the country. Jumia is a pan-African marketplace in several countries, and Takealot is a leading South African retailer. Check the live site for your location.

Does Jumia operate in South Africa? Trade press reports that Jumia ended its South African operations in 2024, so check local platforms there.

Is pay on delivery available? Some stores offer it in some areas. It is not universal, so check at checkout.

How do I avoid fake online shops? Type the address yourself, check the seller, avoid prices that seem too good and keep payments on the platform.

Can I buy online from another African country? Sometimes. Check that the seller ships to you and who pays duties and taxes.

Where can I buy in bulk for my shop? Ask suppliers or manufacturers for quotes. A sourcing request on a B2B marketplace is one way to get several offers at once.

Getting started

Pick two or three sites that serve your city, compare the same product across them and start with a small order to test delivery and service. If you are buying for a business, post a sourcing request on Comilmart or browse listings. Comilmart connects buyers with verified sellers across Africa, and there are no listing fees to get started.