The B2B sector has grown exponentially since the debut of DP World's eCommerce portal DUBUY.com in April. We get down with Mahmood Al Bastaki, DT World – DP World's Chief Operating Officer, to learn more.

For DP World, Africa has always been a vital market; the Emirati global logistics firm has been investing in the continent for a number of years. In April, it announced the launch of DUBUY.com, a worldwide wholesale eCommerce platform that would first be available in Rwanda and Ethiopia, with intentions to extend across Africa and eventually the world.

DUBUY.com complements the actual trade lanes that DP World has established across the African continent through its investments in ports, terminals, and logistical activities. According to Mahmood Al Bastaki, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Trade World, "the marketplace offers a new form of engagement with the UAE, geared to boost the current potential in Africa."

The platform was launched in Kenya in October. In just six months, the platform has established itself as a key trading hub in East Africa. "As a centre in the eastern portion of Africa, Kenya is highly vital for us," he says.

Kenya and the United Arab Emirates also enjoy a positive trading connection. 'They embrace foreign investment and are eager to collaborate with the UAE,' Mahmood says. The value of UAE exports to Kenya in 2019 was estimated to be at USD1.8 billion.

Kenya's 2030 Vision of becoming a newly industrialising, middle-income nation aligns with DUBUY.com's goal of digitally linking Kenyan consumers and sellers with the rest of the globe.

In order to engage with important logistics and solution suppliers, DP World has collaborated with the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce. It has also worked with state governments to boost its position on the continent.

'Africa is a developing continent with a big population of young people aged 18 to 30. These are the future leaders. They are technologically savvy. As an eCommerce platform, our goal is to be worldwide, allowing customers to buy from everywhere and send to anywhere. That is the entire point. However, our initial concentration was on the African continent.'

DP World has operations in 11 African nations and is continuing to grow its influence throughout the continent. It bought Imperial Logistics, a JSE-listed integrated logistics and market access firm with operations primarily in Africa and Europe, in July.

'We believe Africa has enormous potential.' It gives us a lot of chances, and we give them a lot of opportunities as well. It's a one-way roadway in both directions. We travel as a team, creating employment, improving skills, and providing training. We work together to improve the economy and contribute to the country's long-term growth. That is the very heart of our eCommerce offering in Africa,' he explains.

As Kenya recovers from the COVID-19 epidemic, the combination of DUBUY.com's innovative technology and DP World's physical infrastructure provides a safe and dependable means for businesses to grow, expand, and, most importantly, increase supply chain connectedness and resilience.