Breaking Into Zambia’s Booming E-Commerce Scene: Choosing the Right Payment Gateway & Storefront Software for 2025

Introduction

Zambia’s online retail space is on a tear. Market revenue is forecast to hit US $133 million by the end of 2025 and grow at almost 9 % CAGR to reach US $188 million by 2029. With mobile-first consumers, fresh fibre links, and 96 % population coverage targeted for mobile networks, 2025 is the year to stake your claim. Yet success hinges on two core decisions: which payment gateway and which storefront platform you choose.

1. Zambia’s Digital Tailwinds

• Internet adoption: 7 million users (≈ 33 % of the population) and climbing.
  
• Mobile money dominance: contributes roughly 70 % of all financially included adults.
  
• Category spread: Electronics (24 %) leads, but Hobby & Leisure, Fashion, and Grocery all post double-digit shares—ripe for niche entrants.
  

In short, demand is spread across sectors, but online shoppers still crave friction-free checkouts and trustworthy delivery.

2. Payment Gateways: What Works in 2025

2.1 Must-Have: Mobile Money Integration

MTN MoMo and Airtel Money remain non-negotiable. Together they serve more than 5 million active users and power everyday digital payments—from Netflix subscriptions (via Airtel’s virtual Mastercard) to in-app top-ups. Any gateway you pick must plug into these rails.

2.2 International Gateways

Gateway	Why It Matters	Best Use Case	Fees & Notes
Flutterwave	Newly licensed by Bank of Zambia (2025)	One-stop for local MoMo + Visa/Mastercard + payouts	Volume-based; strong API
DPO Pay	Card-heavy markets (Visa, AmEx, Diners)	Travel, hospitality, high-ticket items	Per-transaction + settlement fee
Pesapal	Transparent per-transaction pricing	SMEs needing simple dashboards	Quick setup, good analytics

2.3 Local Specialists

• ZynlePay – indigenous gateway offering real or virtual merchant accounts. Good for high-risk categories.
  
• iNgwee – flat 4.5 % transaction fee, one-time K 2 954 onboarding. Popular with schools and private clinics.
  

Gateway Checklist

1. MoMo + Card Support – Covers 90 % of payment preferences.
   
2. Cash-on-Delivery Option – Builds trust among first-time shoppers.
   
3. Payout Speed – Aim for T+1 or faster to keep cash flowing.
   
4. Regulatory Compliance – Verify Bank of Zambia designation before integration.
   

3. Storefront Platforms: Speed vs. Flexibility

3.1 Shopify – The Quick-Start Champion

• Time-to-launch: Hours, not weeks.
  
• Mobile-optimised: Essential for Zambia’s phone-centric users.
  
• Built-in marketing: Email, social selling, discount engines.
  
• Cost: From US $29/month + 2.9 % + 30¢ per card sale.
  

Choose Shopify if you value speed, don’t have in-house developers, and plan to scale quickly across channels.

3.2 WooCommerce – The Flexible Foundation

• Open source, free core: Spend where it counts—hosting, premium themes, and local plug-ins.
  
• Local talent pool: WordPress developers abound in Lusaka and Kitwe.
  
• Endless customisation: Perfect for multilingual sites, B2B pricing, or tailor-made checkout flows.
  

Choose WooCommerce if you have WordPress skills (or affordable dev support) and need granular control over features and costs.

3.3 BigCommerce – The Enterprise-Ready Solution

• No transaction fees: Attractive once volumes soar.
  
• Strong API: Seamless ERP, POS, or marketplace integrations.
  
• Omnichannel by default: Push listings to Facebook, TikTok, or Amazon without extra apps.
  
• Cost: From US $39/month; automatic plan upgrade as annual GMV rises.
  

Choose BigCommerce if you forecast rapid growth, want headless flexibility, or need robust B2B functionality.

4. Logistics & Fulfilment: Solving the Last Mile

• Mercury Express and DHL Express cover national and cross-border shipping.
  
• Musanga Logistics crowdsources bikes, vans, and trucks, delivering in Lusaka within 1-3 hours—ideal for perishables or same-day service.
  
• Trust Builders: Offer pick-up-in-store, easy returns, and live parcel tracking to reassure hesitant buyers.
  

5. Proven Playbooks: Local Success Stories

• Bosso (building materials) raised US $400 k pre-seed after integrating 1 000+ hardware stores—proof that niche B2B marketplaces thrive when payment and delivery pain points are solved.
  
• Zambezii scaled daily visitors 10× in five years by combining WooCommerce with MoMo and agile fulfilment partners.
  

6. Roadmap to Launch (First Six Months)

1. Foundation (Months 1-2)
   
   • Select platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce).
     
   • Register with BoZ-approved gateway (e.g., Flutterwave).
     
   • Configure MoMo and card payments.
     
2. Integration (Months 3-4)
   
   • Finalise logistics contracts (Musanga for urban, Mercury/DHL for up-country & exports).
     
   • Set up customer service channels (WhatsApp, chatbots, call centre).
     
3. Optimisation (Months 5-6)
   
   • Track KPIs: cart-abandonment rate, MoMo vs. card split, delivery SLA compliance.
     
   • Launch targeted social ads; A/B-test free-shipping thresholds.
     
   • Implement loyalty or referral programme to boost repeat purchases.
     

Conclusion

Zambia’s e-commerce revolution is real—and still up for grabs. Pairing a mobile-first payment gateway with a right-sized storefront platform gives you the foundation to win. Whether you sprint out of the gate with Shopify, craft a bespoke WooCommerce shop, or future-proof on BigCommerce, remember: MoMo integration, transparent logistics, and relentless customer trust-building are the difference between a pretty website and a profitable business. Enter now, adapt fast, and ride the 2025 digital surge to lasting market share.