#67: Sabi - How the B2B retail platform is providing business services to informal SMB retailers, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers in Nigeria and Africa

Overview: Today, we’re going to talk about Sabi, the B2B retail & supply chain services platform. We’ll explore the story across the following areas: Africa’s and Nigeria’s informal retail sector Sabi’s early history Product & monetization strategy Competitive positioning & potential exit options Overall Outlook. This episode was recorded on July 23, 2023 Companies discussed: Sabi, Rensource, TradeDepot, Twiga Foods, Wasoko (Sokowatch), Omnibiz, Alerzo, & Marketforce Business concepts discussed: Informal retail penetration, SMB retail OS, B2B Operating systems, Equity carve-outs, Power as a service, Channel margins & Supply chain logistics Conversation highlights: (01:00) - Sabi context (06:30) - Africa and Nigeria informal retail context and background (20:39) - Background on the founders (30:04) - Quick Rensource detour - overview and background (37:05) - Background on Sabi founding (47:52) - Fundraising (56:40) - Geographic expansion, partnerships and metrics, and growth (1:10:15) - Product Strategy (1:21:17) - How Sabi makes money (1:32:06) - Competition and options for exit (1:46:16) - Bankole’s overall thoughts and outlook (1:55:59) - Olumide’s overall thoughts and outlook (2:07:49) - Recommendations and small wins Olumide’s recommendations & small wins: Interested in investing in Africa Tech with Olumide: Read about Adamantium fund & contact me at [email protected]. Founders looking for funding: If you're a B2B founder working on Education, Health, Finance or food, please contact me for funding at [email protected] Checkout my FIREDOM book = FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) + Freedom = personal finance and financial independence book. Website, Read: Substack Newsletter & Buy: Print, eBook or Audiobook) Recommendation: Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity (book by Peter Attia) Recommendation: I Don't Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression (book by Terrence Real) Small win: Organized House party with friends yesterday, it was fun. Small win: Got a new backpack for future travelling, very nice. Bankole’s recommendations & small wins: Recommendation: Invest Like The Best with the co-founder of FIGS & Spiderman Song - Nigerian Remix Small win: New keycaps!!! Other content: How Equifax became a private IRS, Mission.org podcast episode with CEO Sabi  & Norrsken22-Backed Nigerian Startup Plans $125 Million Round Listeners: We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] with feedback! Founders & Operators: We'd love to hear about what you're working on, email us at [email protected] Investors: It would be great to link up with you. Contact us at [email protected] Join our substack mailing list where we get feedback on new episodes & find all episodes on Afrobility.com