MaxAB-Wasoko Acquires Fatura to Strengthen Africa’s E-Commerce Future

MaxAB-Wasoko, one of Africa’s biggest retail e-commerce and supply chain platforms, has just taken a big step forward by acquiring Fatura, a leading Egypt-based B2B online marketplace. This move is part of MaxAB-Wasoko’s long-term goal to unite the continent’s fragmented retail and fintech sectors under one strong, tech-powered network. The acquisition was made through a deal with EFG Finance, a subsidiary of EFG Holding. As part of the agreement, EFG Finance will now own a stake in MaxAB-Wasoko and have a seat on its board. This partnership is expected to bring not just more resources but also stronger strategic leadership.

This latest acquisition follows the major 2023 merger between MaxAB and Wasoko, which joined forces to form a powerful presence in countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Egypt, and Morocco. Now, with Fatura under its wing, the company is pushing ahead with its mission to be Africa’s go-to platform for retail supply chain and digital financial services.

“This isn’t just about growing our business—it’s about fulfilling our bigger vision,” said Belal El-Megharbel, CEO of MaxAB-Wasoko. “We want to be the one-stop-shop for every retailer in Africa. With our deep product range, advanced logistics, and embedded fintech tools, we’re creating something truly powerful.”

Fatura brings a lot to the table. Since launching in 2019, it has connected more than 626 wholesalers across 16 Egyptian cities, five of which are brand new territories for MaxAB-Wasoko. Retailers in these cities will now enjoy a wider selection of products and faster access to goods, solving one of the biggest challenges in Africa’s supply chain: limited access to diverse and timely inventory. Aladdin ElAfifi, CEO of EFG Finance, commented,

“Joining forces with MaxAB-Wasoko is an exciting opportunity. We believe this partnership will spark meaningful growth in both retail and digital finance. Our role as a shareholder and board member shows our full support for this game-changing direction.”

One of the key strengths of the MaxAB-Wasoko platform is its built-in financial services. These tools allow small retailers to access credit, helping them buy more stock, increase sales, and grow their businesses without needing to rely on traditional banks. This tech-based lending model is already seeing big results. In Egypt alone, MaxAB-Wasoko now finances over 9% of all e-commerce sales on its platform. Fatura’s asset-light marketplace model fits neatly into MaxAB-Wasoko’s wider operations, which already span from procurement to final delivery. The integration is expected to bring major revenue growth in the next 12 to 18 months, with Fatura projected to contribute around 25% of MaxAB’s Egypt earnings by year-end. Even more growth is expected as the model expands to other African markets.