Shoptreo Raises Funding to Take Nigerian Artisan Products Global

Key Takeaways

Africa’s informal manufacturing clusters, like Aba’s leather market, represent untapped value chains with global export potential. These clusters typically lack access to digital infrastructure, finance, and formal trade routes. Shoptreo is among a new wave of startups bridging this gap by integrating fintech, logistics, and marketplace tools. The startup’s model turns fragmented cottage industries into scalable supply networks. By offering embedded finance to bulk buyers and digitized tools to artisans, Shoptreo addresses long-standing inefficiencies in cash flow and fulfillment. It’s a bet on local supply meeting global demand through technology. If successful, this approach could unlock export opportunities for millions of micro-manufacturers across Africa, turning high-volume informal markets into structured commercial ecosystems. The long-term play goes beyond e-commerce: it’s about formalizing grassroots production, building trust in supply chains, and enabling artisan communities to compete globally without losing their identity. This model could redefine how Africa’s informal sector integrates with international trade.