U.S. retail‑technology company Global Shop Group has acquired Ivorian e‑commerce platform ANKA (formerly known as Afrikrea), marking a significant entry into Africa’s creator‑commerce and fashion‑tech space.
Founded in 2016 by Moulaye Tabouré, Abdoul Kadry Diallo and Luc Perussault‑Diallo in Côte d’Ivoire, ANKA evolved from a niche marketplace for African‑inspired fashion into a full‑stack commerce platform offering payments (Anka Pay), logistics (Anka Shipping) and a global marketplace for creators.
At the time of acquisition, ANKA reported more than US$60 million in cumulative transaction volume, served merchants across 47 African countries and reached customers in over 170 global markets. It had grown to more than 22,000 sellers spanning Africa, North America, Europe and the Caribbean.
The exact value of the transaction has not been disclosed. Under the terms of the deal, Global Shop intends to preserve ANKA’s brand and operational footprint while integrating its infrastructure and network into a broader strategy focused on scaling African‑origin brands globally.
Global Shop’s CEO, Matilda Ceesay, emphasised the acquisition as a step toward building a multi‑brand retail ecosystem for African creators and diaspora communities. “I deeply believe in what this platform represents,” she commented.
Several structural and leadership changes accompany the acquisition. ANKA’s founders are stepping aside as part of the transition, and the existing platform team will continue under new ownership.
Industry analysts view the acquisition as a sign of increasing international investor appetite for African‑origin e‑commerce infrastructure and creator‑economy platforms. The combination of ANKA’s payments‑and‑logistics stack with Global Shop’s global reach could accelerate cross‑border commerce opportunities for African SMEs and creators.
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