South Africa E-commerce Forum appoints new board

Vuyo Tofile: Managing Director of Timbaktuu Africa.

E-commerce Forum South Africa (EFSA) has elected a new Board of Directors.

The new board includes a broad range of experts in e-commerce, from online stores and e-platforms, payments, financial services, logistics, software, digital advertising, consulting and academia.

According to EFSA, the strengths of each member reflect the growing importance of e-commerce in the economy, and in particular the development of social commerce for artisans, women and young entrepreneurs in less developed areas.

Tatiana Ndlovu, EFSA Chair, explains: “We are delighted that the new Management Board includes such an outstanding group of experts. Our priorities this year will continue to be representation in the sector. We continue to work on training and education and continue to build relationships with key business associations.”

Alastair Tempest, EFSA Director General, explains in an interview with ITWeb that e-commerce is made up of many moving parts, and EFSA’s board represents a wide range of specialisms, each of which is key to online sales.

“The Management Board works together to ensure that EFSA supports and promotes the development of e-commerce in all its aspects – from platforms to social commerce, online payments, logistics, marketing, etc.,” he notes.

EFSA said it plans to develop a blockchain-based solution to combat fraud in the sector, amid a rise in fraudsters posing as legitimate online sellers.

At its last General Assembly, EFSA presented the plans and programmes it intends to introduce this year to increase awareness, confidence and capacity of the e-commerce industry in South Africa.

The most important long-term goal, it said, is to combat the growing number of frauds in the sector.

Ndlovu adds: “We are also focused on developing a trustmark for South Africa. We have noticed that complaints about e-commerce have increased over the last few years – this is very worrying. This undermines consumer trust. The trustmark will keep out criminals and build trust. This is particularly important for South African consumers today who expect South African laws to protect them from dishonest traders.”

The trustmark based on blockchain verification technology will be launched later this year, the entity said, adding that it will strengthen trust and provide protection against fraudsters.

EFSA is working with its colleagues in the Pan-African e-commerce association (EFA) to develop the African Continental Free Trade Area. This will offer SA businesses major opportunities in the future, he notes.