African manufacturers have immense potential. On the one hand, there’s a growing youth population and increased demand for products across all sectors. On the other hand, raw materials are abundant in high demand globally. 

However, to achieve its economic potential, Africa must prioritise creating sustainable systems around every aspect of its manufacturing ecosystem, from procurement to logistics to financing to compliance and regulatory frameworks. 

To do this, manufacturers and everyone else within the ecosystem must be educated. For manufacturers, outdated beliefs about sourcing chemicals, raw materials, and other inputs often lead to inflated costs, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities. 

This short guide will outline five common procurement myths among African manufacturers. We would also explore how modern solutions like Matta can improve procurement efficiency. 

READ: 5 STEPS TO ENSURE THAT YOUR PROCUREMENT IS ‘LOSS-PROOF’

Myth 1: You can’t buy chemicals/raw materials online

Many African manufacturers still rely on in-person negotiations, paper-based contracts, and fragmented offline networks to procure inputs. Sourcing bulk chemicals or specialised raw materials online feels risky and impractical.

However, with digital procurement, manufacturers can eliminate these complexities. Platforms such as Matta are helping manufacturers deal with issues around logistics, financing, and all other hiccups that affect procurement. 

Some other  advantages of buying CRIC online include; 

• Increased transparency with pricing, product specifications, manufacturers’ information, etc. 
• Improve price discovery and access to a wide selection of suppliers worldwide.
• Streamline procurement from ordering to payments and delivery. 

Myth 2: SMEs cannot order directly from the most prominent chemical manufacturers like BASF.

Large multinational suppliers (e.g., BASF, Dow Chemical) are seen as inaccessible to African SMEs due to high minimum order quantities (MOQs), complex compliance requirements, or a lack of local representation.  

However, online b2b platforms like Matta provide a channel for SMEs to connect with and order from major manufacturers, even in smaller quantities. Matta aggregates demand from SMEs, enabling bulk purchasing at competitive rates. By acting as a unified interface between manufacturers and global suppliers, Matta negotiates favourable terms and simplifies compliance.

Myth 3: It is easier to procure from overseas than from other African countries

African Manufacturers often default to sourcing from Europe or Asia due to perceived reliability despite higher tariffs and longer lead times. Intra-African trade is viewed as bureaucratic and unreliable.   

However, Matta is working earnestly to improve Intra-Africa trade. With Matta, manufacturers can access vetted suppliers across sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, manufacturers can seamlessly procure from other African countries with our added services like logistics and financing. 

Some perks of sourcing from within Africa include; 

• Shorter shipping times and reduced risks of delays
• Significantly lower shipping costs 
• Reduced custom barriers 
• Supporting regional economies

Myth 4: Quality is compromised when sourcing locally

This myth often arises from a perception that locally produced goods are inferior to imported products. This might have been true before. However, in recent years, African national standards bodies have worked closely with the International Standards Organization (ISO) to align their industrial standards. 

Today, the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO) has more than 40 member states. This organisation is crucial in helping African governments implement ISO-compliant management systems. 

Myth 5: Negotiating better prices is solely about aggressive bargaining

Although bargaining is essential, there is more to saving costs and increasing margins than aggressive bargaining. When manufacturers focus only on aggressive price negotiations, they often lose out on other advantages.  

Effective price negotiation is a strategic process that involves; 

• Building and nurturing supplier relationships
• Understanding market dynamics and leveraging long-term contracts to guarantee volume. 
• Leveraging demand and supply trends to create win-win situations.
• Having alternative suppliers in mind so you don’t rely on a single source. 

African manufacturers can Stay Ahead with Matta.

Matta addresses these challenges and empowers African manufacturers. 

We connect manufacturers with a wide range of local and international suppliers by providing a centralised digital marketplace, fostering transparency, improving access, and streamlining the procurement process. 

Specifically, Matta helps to:

Overcome Myths 1 and 2

Matta enables manufacturers, including SMEs, to quickly source chemicals and raw materials online, connecting them directly with prominent manufacturers like BASF and other suppliers they previously couldn’t reach.

Address Myth 3 & 4

Matta facilitates the discovery of local and regional suppliers, promoting intra-African trade and supporting the growth of local economies. It also allows for easy comparison of products and suppliers, enabling manufacturers to find high-quality materials regardless of origin.

Support Myth 5

Matta provides data-driven insights into market prices and supplier performance, empowering manufacturers to make informed decisions and negotiate effectively. Matta helps level the playing field by fostering transparency, competition, and fair pricing.

By embracing digital solutions like Matta, African manufacturers can break free from these outdated myths, unlock their full potential, and drive the continent’s industrial transformation. The future of African manufacturing lies in embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and leveraging technology to create a more efficient, competitive, and prosperous future.

Rounding up

The myths hindering African manufacturers stem from information gaps, legacy practices, and underdeveloped infrastructure. 

However, these barriers are crumbling as digital tools, regional integration, and supplier ecosystems mature. 

By confronting these myths head-on, African manufacturers can unlock cost savings, foster regional collaboration, and build resilient supply chains. The future of procurement is not overseas—it’s online, on-continent, and on-demand.