Tag: e-commerce

Zambia Must Fix Its Skills Gap Before It Is Too Late

Zambia’s youthful population could become one of its greatest economic strengths—but only if the country addresses its growing skills gap. This analysis explores how education reform, digital skills, technical and vocational training, stronger public-private partnerships, and business-friendly policies can prepare Zambia’s workforce for the digital economy. Drawing on data from the World Bank, IFC, TEVETA, UNESCO and other sources, the article outlines practical policy recommendations to reduce youth unemployment and build a future-ready labour market.

Driven by AI, customers now rival criminals for ecommerce fraud, say merchants

Global ecommerce fraud is entering a new phase as AI accelerates both criminal activity and customer-driven abuse, according to Ravelin’s Global Fraud Trends 2026 report. Merchants now report rising losses—averaging $11.4m annually—as fraud increasingly blurs the line between external attackers and first-party customers. With 64% experiencing AI-enabled fraud and one in three lacking AI defenses, businesses are struggling to keep pace with automated attacks such as card testing, refund abuse, and account takeover. The study highlights a widening “AI gap” in fraud prevention, where merchants lag behind increasingly sophisticated, AI-powered fraud tactics impacting revenue, reputation, and customer trust.

AI-driven shopping and privacy: What the retail and e-commerce sector should expect in 2026

As AI-driven shopping transforms retail and e-commerce, cybersecurity and privacy risks are escalating rapidly. In 2025, retailers faced a sharp rise in ransomware, phishing, and mobile malware attacks, with cybercriminals increasingly targeting online stores, payment systems, and delivery services. Looking ahead to 2026, conversational AI search, external AI shopping assistants, and image-based product discovery are expected to expand the data and privacy attack surface, exposing both consumers and businesses to new threats. To sustain trust and growth, retailers must strengthen cybersecurity defenses, improve data governance, and proactively address emerging privacy risks associated with AI-powered shopping experiences.

Why 2026 Will Be the Year of the Super App in Emerging Markets

2026 is set to be the breakthrough year for super-apps in emerging markets, with Africa leading the digital platform revolution. High mobile adoption, fragmented services, and untapped MSME markets create the perfect conditions for integrated platforms that combine payments, commerce, logistics, and discovery. Flood, led by André de Wet, is building Africa-focused super-app solutions to connect informal businesses, drive financial inclusion, and enable scalable digital commerce.

AI-fuelled retail media opens new frontier in performance marketing for South African brands

AI-driven retail media is transforming performance marketing for South African brands. As ecommerce platforms like Takealot, Checkers Sixty60, Makro, and Woolworths invest in retail media, brands gain powerful opportunities to reach high-intent shoppers with personalised, measurable, and data-driven campaigns. AI enhances targeting, product recommendations, and closed-loop reporting, making retail media the next big growth frontier.

How to drop-kick dropshipping risks and build a sustainable business

Dropshipping has emerged as a popular ecommerce model thanks to its low startup costs and logistical simplicity. In this article, Grant Lapping, Digital Executive at midnight, explores how entrepreneurs can overcome the inherent risks of dropshipping to build a sustainable and profitable online business. From finding reliable suppliers and choosing the right platforms (like Shopify or Amazon), to brand building and market differentiation, the article offers actionable strategies for success. With the market projected to reach $3.47 trillion by 2033, dropshipping offers massive potential—but only for those willing to commit to long-term value creation over short-term gains.

New index categorically shows Black Friday is the single-biggest retail bonanza of the holiday period

This article highlights the findings of South Africa’s first formal Black Friday Index, showcasing that Black Friday to Cyber Monday remains the most lucrative retail period of the year. The index, based on data from Ecentric Payment Solutions and World Wide Worx, reveals substantial transaction and revenue growth, with online and in-store retail seeing significant surges. Key insights emphasize the continued dominance of e-commerce, the resurgence of in-store shopping, and the necessity for omnichannel integration and data-driven strategies for future success in the retail sector.