Côte d’Ivoire: U.S. firm Global Shop acquires African startup ANKA

A major chapter in African tech history has just been written. ANKA, the pan-African platform founded in 2016 to democratize access to international trade for African creators, announced on October 21 its acquisition by Global Shop Group, a U.S.-based strategic player in multi-brand retail.

The financial details of the transaction have not yet been disclosed, but the deal marks a turning point for ANKA — a company that, in less than a decade, has made its name as a driving force in Africa’s creative and digital economy.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Moulaye Tabouré, co-founder and outgoing CEO, reflected on “3,918 days of relentless commitment,” noting that more than half of ANKA’s sellers made their first international sale through the platform. Among its success stories is Keerah’s Fashion Cave, highlighted by the BBC earlier this year, which exported over half a million dollars’ worth of Nigerian prom dresses to the United States in just a few months — thanks to ANKA.

Behind this acquisition lies an inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Originally launched under the name Afrikrea by Moulaye Tabouré, Abdoul Kadry Diallo, and Luc Perussault-Diallo, ANKA evolved from a simple online marketplace into a comprehensive infrastructure combining payment solutions, logistics, and e-commerce tools for African brands and the diaspora.

With more than $60 million in transaction volume, sales across 170 countries, and over 10,000 jobs created in 46 African nations, ANKA has had a tangible and lasting impact on the continent’s digital landscape.

Global Shop Group, which has acquired the company’s main assets, plans to build on this legacy to accelerate the development of a global brand ecosystem. The U.S. firm was founded and is led by Matilda Ceesay, an industry expert with previous experience at Nike, Ralph Lauren, and BCG. She has pledged to preserve ANKA’s team, culture, and operational autonomy, ensuring both continuity and expansion.

Although the co-founders are stepping down, the mission remains unchanged: to elevate African products and talent onto the global stage, powered by technology built for inclusion, scalability, and long-term value creation.

A true reference in the African startup ecosystem, ANKA had previously raised funds from major international investors such as the IFC, Proparco, and BPI France, to support its growth and strengthen its impact across the continent.