Ivorian e-commerce and logistics startup ANKA has found a new home under Global shop, a New York-based retail and commerce group, marking a significant development in Africa’s digital trade ecosystem. The acquisition — though the financial details remain undisclosed — signals a strategic move to integrate African online retail into global supply chains and expand ANKA’s reach beyond the continent.
Founded in 2016 Moluaye Taboure, ANKA began as Afrikrea, an online marketplace connecting African artisans, fashion designers, and creators to international buyers. Over time, the company evolved into a full-fledged commerce infrastructure platform, offering digital storefronts, payment solutions, and logistics support tailored for African entrepreneurs looking to sell globally. In 2021, Afrikrea rebranded as ANKA, meaning “ours” in Bambara, to reflect its broader mission of empowering African sellers to take ownership of their businesses and customers.
ANKA’s innovative platform has been instrumental in helping over 15,000 sellers across 45 African countries reach customers in more than 170 nations. The platform’s services — from inventory management to international shipping through partnerships with logistics firms — simplified global trade for African creatives and SMEs, positioning ANKA as a major player in the continent’s fast-growing digital economy.
By joining forces with Global shop, ANKA is poised to scale its operations and deepen its global footprint. Global Shop, known for its extensive network of retail and e-commerce businesses, plans to leverage ANKA’s Africa-focused expertise to create a more inclusive marketplace for diverse products and creators worldwide. The partnership will also provide ANKA’s merchants access to improved logistics infrastructure, advanced marketing tools, and expanded customer bases in North America and Europe.
In a statement, ANKA’s CEO Moulaye Taboure expressed optimism about the move, describing it as a “new chapter in connecting Africa’s creators to the world.” The acquisition underscores the growing international appetite for African innovation and the recognition of Africa’s role in the future of global commerce.
As the continent’s digital trade landscape continues to evolve, ANKA’s integration into Global Shop highlights a promising path for African startups — one that blends local creativity with global opportunity.
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