Zando

Zando is a prominent South African e-commerce platform specialising in fashion, footwear, accessories, beauty and home products. Launched in 2012 by Manuel Koser and Sascha Breuss, it quickly became one of the country's largest online fashion destinations. The company operates a marketplace model, offering thousands of brands and its own private label lines. In 2014, Zando was acquired by the Africa Internet Group (AIG), which later became Jumia, Africa's leading e-commerce ecosystem. Under Jumia's ownership, Zando has expanded its reach across sub-Saharan Africa, serving customers in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and several other markets. The platform is known for its wide product selection, frequent sales events, and convenient delivery options. Zando's headquarters are in Cape Town, and it employs hundreds of people. As part of Jumia, Zando benefits from shared logistics and payment infrastructure, helping it navigate the challenges of African e-commerce. The brand continues to be a key player in the region's online retail landscape, competing with other fashion e-tailers and general marketplaces.

Zando was founded in 2012 by Manuel Koser and Sascha Breuss, two entrepreneurs with experience in African e-commerce. The company launched as an online fashion retailer in South Africa, aiming to capitalise on the growing internet penetration and increasing demand for convenient shopping. In its early years, Zando focused on building a strong logistics network and a user-friendly platform, quickly gaining a loyal customer base. By 2014, Zando had caught the attention of Africa Internet Group (AIG), a major player in African tech, which acquired a majority stake. This acquisition provided Zando with access to greater resources and integration with other AIG ventures, such as Jumia. Following the rebranding of AIG to Jumia in 2016, Zando became part of the Jumia group, operating as a separate brand within the fashion vertical. Throughout the late 2010s, Zando expanded its product categories to include beauty, home, and kids' items, and launched marketplace operations allowing third-party sellers to list products. The platform also introduced mobile apps and improved payment options, including cash on delivery. In 2019, Jumia became the first African startup to list on the New York Stock Exchange, further solidifying Zando's connection to a publicly traded parent. Despite challenges in the African e-commerce sector, including logistics hurdles and economic volatility, Zando has maintained its position as a top online fashion destination in South Africa. In recent years, it has continued to invest in technology and marketing, hosting major sales events like Black Friday and expanding its brand partnerships.

• 2019

  Jumia lists on NYSE, making Zando part of a publicly traded group.

• 2016

  AIG rebrands as Jumia; Zando becomes part of Jumia group.

• 2014

  Acquired by Africa Internet Group (AIG).

• 2012

  Zando founded by Manuel Koser and Sascha Breuss.

Leading online fashion and lifestyle retailer in South Africa, offering a wide range of local and international brands.

• Women's fashion

• Men's fashion

• Kids' clothing

• Footwear

• Beauty and cosmetics

• Home and living

1. 1Zando, Inc. - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Bénin Télécoms SAfr.wikipedia.org