Egyptian startup Shobly is making waves in the e-commerce industry by empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the MENA region to establish and manage their independent online stores effectively. Founded in October 2021 by CEO Abdulrehman Ahmed and CTO Ali Dawood, Shobly aims to address the unique needs of the Egyptian market and cater to the wider Arab world.
Recognising a significant gap in the market, Shobly identified that most companies targeting the Middle East and Arab world focused primarily on the GCC region for short-term returns. Ahmed stated, “Egypt is a unique market with distinct on-the-ground and payment needs that have yet to be adequately addressed.” To validate this opportunity, Shobly launched a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in early 2021, which garnered over 1,000 interested sellers, some even making payments for the MVP.
While their primary focus is on the Egyptian market, Shobly’s platform supports all currencies, enabling Arab users from any country to leverage their Arabic services effectively. While expanding into other markets is not an immediate priority, it remains a consideration for future growth.
As a self-funded startup, Shobly aims to bootstrap its way to financial independence. Their business model revolves around a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) approach, with user subscriptions being the main source of revenue. Ahmed mentioned, “Currently, we are not generating substantial income as our primary focus has been on developing the product. However, our costs have been minimal as we invest our own time and expertise into the development process.” While they are open to potential investors who share their vision, Shobly remains committed to their passion for building a successful platform.
Launching Shobly has presented significant challenges, particularly in terms of user experience (UX) and development. Ahmed emphasized the need for careful consideration to build a product that effectively solves the unique problems of the local market. Shobly understands that replicating the success of platforms like Shopify is not sufficient for seamless operations in the MENA region.
With its commitment to addressing the specific needs of the Egyptian market and supporting SMEs, Shobly is poised to make a significant impact on e-commerce in the MENA region. As they continue to develop their platform and attract potential investors, Shobly aims to empower more entrepreneurs in the region, fostering economic growth and digital transformation.
