Copia Global

The company's business model was built to overcome challenges such as low internet penetration, lack of formal addresses, and a reliance on cash. It utilized a network of local agents, typically small shopkeepers, who acted as ordering and delivery points. Customers could visit these agents to browse a digital catalog, place orders, and pay in cash. The agents would then use a mobile application to place the orders with Copia, and the goods would be delivered to the agent's shop for customer pickup within a few days. This system not only provided customers with access to a wide range of products but also generated additional income for the local shopkeeper agents.

Copia's product offerings ranged from household staples like sugar and cooking oil to items like building materials. This service saved customers the time and expense of traveling to urban centers to purchase these goods. Over its lifetime, Copia raised significant funding, including a $50 million Series C round in 2022, to fuel its expansion. At its peak, the company operated in Kenya and Uganda, with a network of over 30,000 agents serving millions of customers. However, citing economic downturn and capital constraints, Copia suspended its Ugandan operations in 2023 to focus on its Kenyan market. Despite efforts to secure further investment and restructure, the company entered administration in May 2024, leading to mass layoffs and the eventual decision to liquidate assets to pay off creditors.