The African retail landscape has experienced significant restructuring over the last decade. Historically, South Africa’s retailers, spurred by slowing domestic growth, spearheaded expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the market dynamics in 2025 and 2026 have shifted. While pioneers like Shoprite originally led the charge, recent years have seen strategic realignments, with many South African giants consolidating their focus on the SADC region. Conversely, international mega-retailers—most notably French retailer Carrefour (operated regionally by Majid Al Futtaim)—have aggressively captured market share across East and North Africa. Informal outlets, such as open-air markets and independent kiosks, continue to dominate food retail in most African countries. While this fragmentation poses logistical obstacles, it has also birthed a booming B2B digital commerce sector, with tech platforms actively digitizing these informal supply chains. That consumers are starting to favour the convenience, hygiene, and product variety offered by formalized supermarkets and modern shopping centres is not in doubt. However, the supply of prime retail space remains thin, and bureaucratic hurdles persist. Another crucial concern for new entrants is navigating complex distribution channels and the fluctuating costs of importing products amid global currency volatilities. Kenya Market for Food Kenya’s food retail sector is highly developed within the African context. Unlike a decade ago when local players exclusively dominated the scene, foreign retailers have now successfully broken into the market. Carrefour has established a massive footprint, operating numerous hypermarkets and supermarkets, effectively competing alongside dominant homegrown chains like Naivas and Quickmart. These leading Kenyan retailers are continuously increasing the range of their product offerings—particularly in fresh produce, private-label FMCG goods, and ready-to-eat meals—in order to build market share. They are also leveraging Nairobi's position as an economic hub to expand further into the broader East African region, including Rwanda and Tanzania. Top Foodstuff & FMCG Items Imported into Africa (Est. Annual Value USD Billions) © Africa Business Pages Source: FAO & Regional Trade Flow Estimates, 2026 Nigeria Market for Food The Nigerian retail scene remains heavily reliant on informal trade, although modern retail penetration is accelerating with the entry of localized supermarkets and a surge in neighborhood shopping centres. The major traditional foodstuffs consumed by the majority of the population are predominantly unprocessed and semi-processed items (including maize, sorghum, tubers, and fish). However, ongoing shifts regarding urbanization, changing lifestyles, and the preferences of a massive youth demographic are resulting in increased demand for a wider range of packaged and processed FMCG products. The supermarket landscape in Nigeria has evolved significantly. While historically dependent on foreign direct investment, the market is now driven by robust domestic operations. For instance, the Shoprite brand remains highly visible but is now fully operated by local investors (Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited). Similarly, the Artee Group continues to drive the expansion of Spar stores across major cities. Following the exit of some historical South African operators like Massmart, nimble local chains such as Prince Ebeano Supermarket and Market Square have rapidly filled the void with localized product mixes and smaller, more accessible store formats. Furthermore, E-commerce and quick-commerce have taken off sharply in Nigeria. Platforms like Jumia, Glovo, and Chowdeck have revolutionized food and grocery delivery in Lagos and Abuja. These services appeal to the urban middle class by saving consumers time navigating heavy traffic and circumventing the limitations of physical formal retail outlets. Africa Foodstuff Importers Directory: Database of Foodstuff Importers in Africa In a bid to help global foodstuff suppliers find verified importers, wholesalers, dealers, and agents in Africa, the African Business Pages has compiled a specialized directory. This comprehensive database lists active foodstuff importers across more than 24 African countries. The Africa Foodstuff Importers Directory is available as a digital download and has played an instrumental role in promoting direct B2B contacts between African foodstuff importers and international suppliers. Adapted for immediate online distribution, the directory is available in Excel format as an instant digital download. It serves as an essential tool for export managers wanting to safely navigate the African FMCG market. You can download the directory HERE. Personal Care Products This segment includes shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorants, skincare, and make-up. The sub-sector boasts phenomenal potential for expansion across the continent. Apart from standard drivers like a favourable demographic profile and urbanization, an added catalyst is the willingness of African consumers to spend a proportionately large share of their discretionary income on premium beauty and grooming products—a trend observed across both male and female demographics. This is partially driven by the aggressive entry of popular international brand names, alongside a sharp uptake in social media penetration via mobile telephony, which has vastly increased exposure to global beauty trends and influencer-driven marketing. Kenya: Market for Personal Care Products Unilever remains a market leader in Kenya's personal care industry. Having been present in the country for decades, it boasts an incredibly robust, multi-tiered distribution network. Brand loyalty is deeply entrenched through localized marketing campaigns and the provision of quality products at affordable price points. They are joined by global giants like L'Oréal and Estée Lauder, as well as highly competitive local brands that cater specifically to African skin and hair types. As consumers’ disposable incomes rise, market behavior dictates they first make a "quantity shift" (e.g., purchasing basic toothpaste more frequently), before graduating to a "quality and variety shift" (e.g., purchasing premium whitening brands, mouthwash, and dental floss). According to industry experts like Dr. Andrew Wetende of the Kenya Dental Association, historically only a fraction of Kenyans had access to quality dental care. Dr. Wetende has advocated for "Kenyans to take up brushing their teeth as a habit and stop considering it as a luxury." This paradigm shift is actively materializing. As incomes rise, the proportion of household budgets dedicated strictly to food declines, freeing up capital that drives the strong growth expected in the oral and personal care sectors. The main sources of Kenya’s oral care and cosmetics imports are India, Thailand, South Africa, and China, while Kenya itself acts as a distribution hub, re-exporting to Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Notably, regional governments periodically adjust import duties on packaged cosmetics and plastics to protect domestic manufacturers and stimulate local manufacturing bases. Africa's Foodstuff Market The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has begun to fundamentally alter the FMCG and foodstuff supply chain across the continent. By reducing intra-African tariffs and harmonizing cross-border customs procedures, regional manufacturing hubs—such as Kenya for East Africa, and Egypt for North Africa—are seeing a surge in exports to neighboring, landlocked nations. This is encouraging multinational FMCG brands to shift from importing finished goods from Europe and Asia to establishing massive local agro-processing and packaging facilities directly on the continent, significantly reducing lead times and logistics costs. Simultaneously, severe foreign exchange shortages in key markets like Nigeria and Egypt during recent years have catalyzed a "localization" trend. To mitigate exposure to volatile dollar-denominated imports, major retail chains and foodstuff distributors have aggressively pivoted to sourcing locally produced staples, dairy, and consumer goods. This forced pivot has stimulated massive private equity investment into African agritech and light manufacturing, aiming to secure food sovereignty and build resilient, localized supply chains capable of meeting the demands of a population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050. Did you know? By 2026, over 40% of all FMCG sales in urban African hubs like Nairobi and Lagos are influenced by digital marketing and mobile-first e-commerce platforms. Africa imports over $45 billion worth of food annually, with wheat, rice, and palm oil constituting the vast majority of the continent's agricultural import bill. The African cosmetics and personal care market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8%, significantly outpacing global averages. To circumvent logistics issues, leading FMCG brands are increasingly partnering with African B2B digital platforms like Wasoko and TradeDepot to supply millions of informal kiosks directly. Nigeria's retail sector accounts for nearly a fifth of the country's GDP, making it one of the most critical non-oil sectors for national economic stability. Under the AfCFTA, the elimination of tariffs on 90% of goods is projected to boost intra-African trade of processed foods and FMCG products by over 30% by 2030.

Uganda is making rapid strides to emerge as the premier regional business and logistics hub for the East African Community (EAC). In a concentrated effort to promote regional and international trade, the government has launched several aggressive initiatives to modernize its telecommunications and transport infrastructure. At the forefront of this economic strategy is the massive, multi-phase upgrade and expansion of Entebbe International Airport, designed to transform the facility into a world-class gateway for global passenger and cargo aircraft. Entebbe International Airport lies astride the equator, frequently earning it the title of the “Airport on the Equator.” Elevated at 3,782 feet above sea level, the airport sits on a spectacular peninsula bordering Africa’s largest freshwater body, Lake Victoria. Because Uganda is a landlocked nation, its direct contact with the outside world is heavily dependent on these air connections. Goods are flown directly into Entebbe for further distribution deep into the African interior, making seamless air cargo movement of paramount importance to the overall expansion of the Ugandan economy. Latest Developments at Entebbe Airport Uganda’s aviation sector is currently experiencing a historic boom. In January 2026, the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) officially opened a state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-meter passenger terminal. This massive infrastructure upgrade has increased Entebbe's passenger handling capacity from two million to over 3.5 million travelers annually. The new facility features advanced aerobridges, vastly expanded check-in counters, self-service kiosks, and extended duty-free shopping lounges, ensuring a streamlined and highly efficient experience for international business travelers and tourists alike. Concurrently, the cargo sector has been entirely revolutionized. A newly constructed, Chinese-built cargo center capable of handling 100,000 metric tonnes annually is now fully operational, replacing the outdated 50,000-tonne facility. This modernization immediately yielded results; in February 2026, Entebbe recorded a massive surge in international traffic, handling nearly 190,000 passengers and 4,498 metric tonnes of cargo in a single month. This increased logistical capacity is particularly vital for Uganda's agricultural sector, allowing for the rapid export of highly lucrative, temperature-sensitive cash crops like premium Arabica and Robusta coffee to global markets. Liberalization and Future Growth The need for this expansion has come at a critical and highly appropriate time. Uganda has registered impressive GDP growth over the last decade, successfully keeping inflation under control and attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI). Consequently, Entebbe has witnessed a substantial rise in the number of international airlines operating daily routes. Recognizing the absolute necessity of regulating the smooth flow of air freight, the Government of Uganda has enacted progressive policy shifts. By changing the taxation basis for air cargo from CIF to FOB, the government aims to drastically boost airfreight volumes and enhance Uganda's global export competitiveness. Furthermore, the liberalization of cargo handling services—abolishing previous monopolies—has successfully attracted top-tier technical and management expertise, eliminating delays and professionalizing ground operations to meet strict international aviation standards. Did You Know? Record-Breaking Traffic: In early 2026, Entebbe International Airport experienced a massive surge in traffic, handling an average of nearly 6,770 international travelers every single day. A New Passenger Terminal: Opened in January 2026, the brand-new 20,000-square-meter terminal has expanded the airport's annual capacity to over 3.5 million passengers. Massive Cargo Capacity: A newly constructed cargo center can now handle 100,000 metric tonnes of freight annually, a massive upgrade from the old 50,000-tonne facility built inside a converted aircraft hangar. The "Airport on the Equator": True to its nickname, Entebbe Airport is located incredibly close to the Earth's equator, sitting on a picturesque peninsula overlooking Lake Victoria. A National Carrier Revival: As part of the airport's expansion master plan, state-of-the-art headquarters are being constructed to serve as the primary operational base for the national carrier, Uganda Airlines.

Uganda is making rapid strides to emerge as one of the leading commercial and logistics centers in East Africa. Realising the importance of Uganda as one of the most progressive and dynamic economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, foreign direct investment and international trade partnerships are surging. This was highly evident at the recent Uganda International Trade Fair held in Kampala, where hundreds of participants from over 35 countries—including a massive contingent from the Middle East—gathered to promote their products in this lucrative frontier market. Moving far beyond its historical hardships, Uganda today boasts a highly stable political and macroeconomic environment characterized by low inflation, stable exchange rates, and consistently robust economic growth. It consistently ranks among the fastest-growing economies in East Africa. The government is actively working to better the lives of its citizens by establishing a viable, investor-friendly commercial market. As an anchor member of the integrated East African Community (EAC), Uganda plays a pivotal role as the primary trade and distribution hub connecting coastal ports to the resource-rich African hinterland. The country undeniably has the political will, the natural resources, and the infrastructure to cement its status as a premier business destination in Africa. To sustain this growth, Uganda has invested billions into the development of its national infrastructure. Uganda’s modernizing road and rail systems are increasingly well-linked to its principal trading partners, Kenya and Tanzania, facilitating bulk cargo transportation. Furthermore, the aviation sector has seen massive upgrades. Entebbe International Airport, located 40 kilometers south of Kampala on the picturesque shores of Lake Victoria, has undergone multi-phase expansions. It now serves as a critical regional hub, handling high volumes of international passenger and cargo traffic. Top-tier international carriers, including Emirates, British Airways, and Ethiopian Airways, operate regular flights, rapidly expanding Uganda's global connectivity. “We are committed to improving the incentive structure and streamlining bureaucratic procedures in order to make Uganda highly competitive as an investment location for global capital. The Government will continuously work on improving the infrastructure to support private enterprise.” — President Yoweri Museveni. Bi-lateral trade between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates has registered explosive growth over the last five years. The economic liberalisation policies adopted by the Ugandan government, coupled with strategic geographic proximity and daily direct flights, have played an instrumental role in promoting direct B2B trade and investment pipelines between the two nations. Uganda Real GDP Growth Projections (2023 - 2030) Data Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) / World Bank  |  © Africa Business Pages Uganda's Growth Drivers Uganda's economic landscape is experiencing a transformative phase, with real GDP growth projected to surge past 9% by 2026–2027. This unprecedented acceleration is heavily driven by the onset of commercial oil production from the Lake Albert region, alongside a robust performance in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Foreign direct investment is flowing into critical infrastructure, paving the way for the nation to achieve its Vision 2040 ambitions of reaching high-income status. Furthermore, Uganda is capitalizing on the massive opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The government is aggressively diversifying exports beyond traditional commodities like coffee, investing heavily in agro-industrialization, digital infrastructure, and renewable energy. By streamlining cross-border trade through One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) and enhancing domestic revenue mobilization, Uganda has successfully stabilized inflation below 4% and maintained significant exchange rate stability, cementing its position as a highly lucrative and stable anchor market in East Africa. Did You Know? The Pearl of Africa: Uganda was famously dubbed the "Pearl of Africa" by Winston Churchill due to its magnificent beauty, rich biodiversity, and fertile landscapes. Coffee Powerhouse: Coffee is of fundamental importance to the economy. Uganda is Africa's largest exporter of coffee, growing highly sought-after Robusta and Arabica beans that support millions of rural farmers. Young and Dynamic: Uganda boasts one of the youngest populations in the world, with a median age under 17, providing a massive demographic dividend for future consumer markets and a dynamic labor force. The Oil Boom: With the ongoing development of the Lake Albert oil reserves and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), Uganda is transitioning into a major African oil exporter.

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