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After years of anticipation, Amazon.co.za is officially live.
The US-based e-commerce giant launched its online South African store overnight. It is now possible to make purchases from Amazon on the South African store, with pricing in rands. Some products are, however, still "temporarily out of stock".
Robert Koen, the managing director of Amazon in Sub-Saharan Africa, said that customers can expect fast, reliable delivery from Amazon.
"We are excited to launch Amazon.co.za, along with thousands of independent sellers in South Africa. We provide customers with great value, broad selection - including international and local products - and a convenient delivery experience," said Koen in an Amazon statement about the launch.
Amazon released a cryptic announcement in October last year, declaring that it would launch Amazon.co.za sometime in 2024. Amazon has also been coy about the level of investment it has been making in the country.
READ MORE | Amazon to launch SA marketplace in 2024, sellers can register from today
Since then, third-party sellers have been able to register to start selling on the site.
Amazon Web Services has been operating in South Africa for a number of years, but Tuesday marked the official start of the company’s e-commerce operations.
Minister of Small Business Development of South Africa, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said that South Africa welcomes companies that create opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs.
"We are counting on Amazon to provide such opportunities to our small enterprises, and look forward to working together to unlock these opportunities. This will create jobs and contribute to government’s objective of repairing the legacy of poverty and inequality. This is the heartbeat we want to hear," she said in the Amazon announcement.
Amazon’s vast experience in e-commerce is expected to bring significant competition to local e-commerce operators such as Takealot.
Amazon joins Chinese-owned Temu, which has been growing rapidly, in launching e-commerce operations in South Africa this year.
