Amazon Hosts First Seller Summit in South Africa
Amazon South Africa recently held its inaugural Seller Summit at its Cape Town headquarters, bringing together over 300 entrepreneurs from across the country. The event provided valuable insights, expert guidance, and networking opportunities to help South African businesses thrive on amazon.co.za.
A Milestone for Amazon South Africa
Robert Koen, Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, described the event as a major milestone for Amazon in the region.
“Customers love the wide selection, great value, and convenience of the Amazon experience. With the help of our third-party sellers, we’re adding thousands of new products to the store every week. The energy and entrepreneurial spirit at the Summit reinforce our belief in the immense potential of South African businesses in the digital economy,” said Koen.
Masterclasses and Expert Insights
The Summit featured interactive masterclasses designed to guide sellers through Amazon’s ecosystem. Entrepreneurs explored tools for product listing, advertising, brand building, shipping, and fulfillment. Industry experts shared strategies for leveraging Amazon’s latest capabilities to expand customer reach and accelerate business growth.
A special video message from Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, emphasized Amazon’s commitment to supporting small businesses. With over 60% of products sold globally on Amazon coming from independent sellers, Amazon continues to invest in logistics and innovative programs to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses online.
Key Highlights from the Summit
• Vusi Thembekwayo, a renowned business strategist, delivered a keynote on “Your Customer Today and Tomorrow,”exploring shifting consumer behaviors and how businesses can stay ahead.
• A session on “Enhancing Customer Centricity with Generative AI” examined how emerging technologies are reshaping customer interactions and creating new business opportunities.
• Hands-on workshops introduced sellers to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Sponsored Ads, and API automation, equipping them with tools to streamline operations and increase sales.
A Commitment to Seller Success
Suzelle Abe, Head of Marketplace at Amazon South Africa, reiterated Amazon’s dedication to empowering local sellers.
“The overwhelming response to our first Summit shows the appetite among South African entrepreneurs to expand through e-commerce. We’re committed to providing not just a marketplace, but the tools, knowledge, and support needed for long-term success. This is just the beginning of our investment in South African sellers,” she said.
Seller Experiences and Future Plans
Attendees praised the Summit for its practical insights and networking opportunities.
Nadia Michaels, Co-Founder of Yearn Skin, described the event as an invaluable experience:
“It was an opportunity to share insights from our brand’s journey while connecting with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Amazon is a powerful platform that, when used strategically, can drive sustainable business growth.”
Denvor Farao, Channel Sales Manager at ErgonomicsDirect, echoed this sentiment:
“The Summit reinforced Amazon’s focus on customer experience and seller success. The atmosphere of collaboration and innovation was truly inspiring.”
Amazon South Africa announced plans to make the Seller Summit an annual event, with additional regional workshops throughout the year to continue supporting entrepreneurs through the Amazon Seller Success Centre.
With this initiative, Amazon reaffirms its commitment to fostering South Africa’s e-commerce growth, equipping businesses with the tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
