Kyosk Acquires Kwikbasket to Advance Its Farm and Fresh Line Of Business and Revolutionise the Supply Of Fresh Produce In Africa

Kyosk Digital Services, a digital-first and data-led distribution platform has consolidated on its operational presence in Africa with its expansion into the African fresh produce market with the launch of its Farm & Fresh line of business. This comes after Kyosk recently acquired KwikBasket, a significant player in the agricultural sector recognised for its proficiency in the distribution of agricultural produce and for offering beneficial services and solutions to farmers, commercial kitchens, and other stakeholders in the food chain.

With a focus on online retail distribution, Kyosk Digital Services is driven by a digital-first strategy and data-driven insights. Through creative ideas, the organisation seeks to revolutionise the accessibility and distribution of goods and services throughout Africa. By bringing together companies, customers, and suppliers, Kyosk.App makes it easier to conduct smooth transactions and boosts supply chain efficiency.

With the launch of Farm & Fresh, Kyosk combines its digital-first approach and large-scale operations with KwikBasket’s agricultural expertise to transform the African fresh produce market, creating a more efficient and inclusive ecosystem.   

Raphael Afaedor, Co-Founder and CEO of Kyosk Digital Services said, “This acquisition marks a major milestone for Kyosk as we broaden our footprint in the fresh produce market in Africa and enhance our offering to cater to the needs of farmers, retailers, kitchens, eateries, and other consumers. With KwikBasket’s extensive expertise and resources, we are strategically positioned to unlock the full potential of farming in Africa and create a fair and efficient marketplace that benefits all stakeholders in the food chain.

“This expansion presents a unique opportunity for Kyosk to leverage its digital-first and data-led distribution platform to revolutionise the way fresh produce is sourced, distributed, and enjoyed in Africa.”

Farmers on the African continent confront several difficulties because of disjointed and ineffective distribution networks for agricultural products. Farmers frequently experience distribution issues, which result in considerable output losses, low income, wastage, and high food costs. Farmers have access to better yields, reliable market access, fair pricing, crucial information and insights, and agri-inputs with Kyosk’s Fresh line. By providing these tools to farmers, Kyosk aims to help farmers’ development and achievement in the agricultural industry.

Additionally, Kyosk Fresh will meet the demands of eateries, restaurants, and other clients by supplying a steady flow of a wide range of premium goods. Due to the lengthy lead times in the supply chain, kitchens and restaurants frequently confront several difficulties. Concerns about food safety and quality, food waste, expensive logistics, and delays in filling consumer orders are a few of these major difficulties.

Kyosk Farm & Fresh will look to lessen many of these challenges by streamlining procedures, improving logistics, and improving inventory management. As a result, kitchens and restaurants will be able to preserve pricing stability and competition while assuring food safety, openness, and traceability across the supply chain.

As part of the launch of the Farm & Fresh line of business, the uLima digital platform will be rebranded to Kyosk Farm. uLima was a platform that provided farmers with quality inputs, localised market information, and market linkage.

Kyosk Farm will now build upon the foundation of uLima, leveraging its existing features and functionality while enhancing the overall user experience. For farmers, Kyosk Farm will offer improved yields by providing access to information, insights, and agri-inputs, such as fertilisers, and financing. It will enable farmers to connect with consistent market access and fair pricing, ensuring sustainable income and growth opportunities for their businesses.

The retail market in Africa is estimated to be worth around US$600 billion and is expected to expand at a rate of 5% to 6% each year. Over 60% of retail trade in Africa is conducted by small retail establishments and traditional retailers, on whom Kyosk concentrates. These stores have typically received poor service and are mostly found in low-income, underserved urban neighbourhoods. Due of the several layers of intermediaries, they have significant shipping expenses and a difficult time reaching producers and distributors. Small shops consequently frequently encounter frequent stockouts and missed sales while having restricted access to credit.

Through digitised value chains, the Kyosk platform transforms how African farmers, small retail outlets (kiosks), and their communities engage with high-quality and reasonably priced goods and services. Without the need of middlemen, retailers may place orders with FMCGs directly, obtaining access to competitive pricing and cost savings. In keeping with its aim to expanding its offers and meeting a variety of customer needs, Kyosk has also expanded its activities to encompass electrical goods, health, and beauty products.

In addition, Kyosk provides assistance that goes beyond the delivery of goods; it works with financial institutions to make its outreach to traditional stores, farmers, and other companies possible. It enables them to offer services like loan and insurance, supporting economic growth and stability and promoting financial inclusion of underrepresented enterprises and individuals.