Why e-commerce is hard in Zimbabwe: Internet access

The proverbial edge case is back and if you understand today's subject matter then this will be a group therapy session more than an educationational experience. However, to those who haven't dipped their toes into the weeds of selling products online, I hope you have a handkerchief because this is the sorry tale of e-commerce in Zimbabwe.

The Gist:

• Brick and Mortar vs Going Online
• Fixed Internet doesn't stand a chance, it's mobile data all the way
• Mobile network operators conditioned Zimbabweans to live in bundles
• We need to look at WhatsApp as an operating system because e-commerce can be built through it for Zimbabwe.

Selling anything is a tall order in any scenario, taller still is the task when you add anything digital to act as the intermediary between you and your prospective customer.

"Prospective" in the previous phrase is the operative word as you have to reach your target market before you can even begin to think about how you are going to convince them to buy your product(s).