Jumia, Africa’s leading e-commerce platform, has marked a decade of operations in both Kenya and Ghana with the theme, “10 Years with You.” This celebration acknowledges the contributions of consumers, sellers, and communities in transforming the e-commerce landscape across the continent.

The event in Kenya was led by the newly appointed CEO, Betty Mwangi, while Tolulope Thomas, CEO of Jumia Ghana, headed the celebrations in Accra, Ghana. Jumia has been at the forefront of driving e-commerce adoption in Africa, helping businesses and SMEs transition to digital platforms, especially as traditional retail channels face disruptions.

Empowering SMEs and Creating Job Opportunities

As African businesses increasingly shift to e-commerce to boost sales, Jumia has created new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow. The platform also offers job opportunities for a tech-savvy generation, contributing to social development and economic progress.

Earlier in the year, Jumia released its Sustainability Report, underscoring its commitment to fostering social development, generating employment and business opportunities, and closing inequality gaps across the continent.

Betty Mwangi, CEO of Jumia Kenya, said:
“We are committed to creating a sustainable impact in Kenya by offering unique opportunities in a vibrant environment, creating jobs, and empowering a new generation through our corporate social programs. This will also help address inequality, particularly among women.”

Jumia Kenya has made significant strides in promoting gender equality, with more than 50% of its sellers being women, empowering them through e-commerce opportunities.

Supporting Vendors and Expanding to Rural Areas

In Ghana, CEO Tolulope Thomas expressed gratitude for the platform’s impact on businesses and communities over the past decade. He emphasized Jumia’s ongoing support for vendors and partners:

“We will continue to provide seamless support to our vendors and partners to help grow their businesses, while ensuring affordability and convenience for consumers. We remain committed to creating job opportunities for the youth and positively impacting the nation’s economy through expansion into rural areas.”

Thomas further thanked the employees, consumers, policymakers, sellers, and other ecosystem players for their contributions toward achieving this 10-year milestone.

Promoting Safety Through Helmet Distribution

As part of its Safety Commitment Programme, Jumia has partnered with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to provide UN ECE 22.05 certified helmets to its delivery riders. In alignment with UN safety standards, over 1,000 helmets have been distributed to delivery associates in Kenya and Ghana.

This initiative reinforces Jumia’s focus on employee safety, ensuring its delivery teams have access to safe and affordable helmets while on the job.

Conclusion

After a decade of operation, Jumia’s impact in Kenya and Ghana extends beyond e-commerce. By fostering economic inclusion, empowering women entrepreneurs, creating job opportunities, and promoting rider safety, Jumia continues to shape the future of online retail in Africa. With plans to expand further into rural areas and strengthen partnerships with vendors, Jumia aims to remain a key player in Africa’s e-commerce journey for years to come.