Why 2026 is the year of "Phygital" in Africa

Commerce is no longer divided between "online" and "offline". In 2026, the merchants who win are those who unify the two. This is called Phygital.

Your customers are on their phones from morning to night. If they can't see your products online before coming to the store, you lose sales.

New Consumption Habits

- Research online, purchase in-store (ROPO): 85% of customers consult Google or social media before moving.

  • Click & Collect: Customers want to reserve on WhatsApp and pick up the product without waiting.
  • Unified Mobile Payment: Paying with Wave or Orange Money should be as simple on your site as at the counter.

    Step 1: Digitizing your catalog without pain

    The #1 fear of the physical merchant? "I don't have time to manage a site".

    That was true in 2024. In 2026, with tools like Jaaba, it's over.

    1. Take a photo of your shelf or a product.

    • 2. AI generates the product sheet (description, estimated price, tags). 3. Your stock is synchronized: An online sale deducts physical stock (if you use our integrated POS).

    Step 2: Transforming WhatsApp into a structured sales channel

    WhatsApp is no longer just for chat. It's your CRM and your order terminal.

    Instead of handling 50 "How much is this?" conversations a day, send a link to your Jaaba collection. The customer sees the price, photos, and orders directly.

    > Pro Tip: Put a QR Code on your counter that leads to your online store. Capture physical customers to retarget them digitally later!

    Step 3: Local logistics

    Don't try to ship to the other side of the world right away. Target your neighborhood, your city.

    - Express Delivery (< 2h): Use local motorbike taxis.

  • Store Pickup: Free for the customer, and it brings them back to the store (additional sales!).

    Conclusion: Don't suffer the change, lead it

    Physical stores won't disappear, but those that remain invisible on the web will suffer.

    In 2026, the technical barrier no longer exists. Your physical store is your greatest asset: it's your stock, your showcase, and your point of trust. Digital is just the extension of your handshake.

    Start my digital transition for free with Jaaba