#52: OLX Africa - How the Classifieds platform initially grew and eventually shut down across Africa
Afrobility: Africa Tech and BusinessJune 14, 2022
52
01:49:32200.57 MB

#52: OLX Africa - How the Classifieds platform initially grew and eventually shut down across Africa

Overview: Today, we’re going to talk about OLX -  the classifieds & marketplace platform. We’ll explore the OLX Africa story across 4 areas:

  1. OLX's early history
  2. OLX's growth in other emerging markets
  3. OLX Africa's early history & Naspers acquisition
  4. Naspers OLX exit from Africa

This episode was recorded on June 5, 2022.


Companies discussed: OLX, Jiji, Craigslist, Konga, Naspers, Kalahariads, Dealfish, Pricecheck, Mocality & Tradestable


Business concepts discussed: Classifieds platforms, classifieds monetization, M&A strategy, e-commerce, social commerce, lift and shift business models & international expansion


Conversation highlights:

  • (01:30) - OLX context
  • (06:30) - How classifieds work
  • (12:00) - OLX founding and early history
  • (26:03) - OLX entry into other emerging markets
  • (31:10) - OLX entry into Africa
  • (45:32) - Product and monetization strategy
  • (58:17) - Discussing OLX’s Africa exit
  • (1:22:54) - Olumide’s overall thoughts and outlook
  • (1:10:58) - Bankole’s overall thoughts and outlook
  • (1:38:39) - Recommendations and small wins


Olumide’s recommendations & small wins:

  • Recommendation: Microsoft 365. I’ve used it for 17 years and it just gets better and better
  • Small win: Using my old Lenovo ThinkPad from 2016. My computer crapped out on Friday and so I had to dust the cobwebs and it still works
  • Interested in investing in Africa Tech with Olumide: Read about Adamantium fund & contact me at olumide@afrobility.com
  • Founders looking for funding: If you're a B2B founder working on Education, Health, Finance or food, please contact me for funding at olumide@afrobility.


Bankole’s recommendations & small wins:


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