Small shopkeepers in Nigeria face challenges in managing sales, debts and expenses. Timart Business Solutions Ltd., a retail technology startup, says it is addressing this with digital tools designed for the realities of Africa’s markets.
“This was inspired by the fact that Nigerian entrepreneurs love WhatsApp more than complex dashboards,” said Chimezie Onwudiwe, the Chief Operations Officer of Timart. “That insight drove us to build an assistant that lets business owners record expenses, track sales, and even generate reports without needing advanced training.”
Founded in 2021 and rebranded in 2022, Timart has already recorded 50,000+ downloads on Google Play and serves over 20,000 businesses across Nigeria. The company offers everything from point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory tracking, Anti-Theft protection, to an AI-powered WhatsApp assistant that allows shop owners to manage records by simply sending a chat message.
The startup’s innovation includes offline-first features for areas with poor connectivity, QR code ordering systems for restaurants, and affordable POS hardware built to integrate with its software.
Muhammad Zhitsu Ndako, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, says the goal is to make Timart “Africa’s leading business operating system for SMEs, from sales to payroll and compliance.” Beyond business growth, Timart is pushing social impact. It has subsidised POS devices for underserved retailers in Northern Nigeria, and runs training programmes for women-led businesses. The company is also one of the few tech startups based in Niger State, moving Nigeria’s startup scene beyond Lagos and Abuja.
“We are building more than software,” Onwudiwe said. “We are creating an ecosystem that gives everyday entrepreneurs the confidence to run data-driven businesses, whether they are tech-savvy or not.”
With Africa’s retail sector worth over $2.1 trillion by 2025 (Statista), analysts say startups like Timart could help bridge the digital gap for millions of informal traders.
