Nigeria’s top e-commerce platform, Jumia, declared that it would deepen e-commerce in the nation over the following ten years by putting customer requirements, product and service quality, pricing, and trust at the core of its operations.
The next chapter of Jumia’s history will focus on improving the lives of its partners and customers, according to co-CEO and co-founder Jeremy Hodara, who made this statement on Wednesday in Lagos at an event to celebrate the company’s ten years of e-commerce in Nigeria.
Key participants in the celebration included customers, sellers, partners, and communities from Jumia’s ecosystem. It also included panel discussions on topics like the development of payment systems, the future of Nigeria’s retail industry, and the country’s logistics sector.
Hodara, said, “Nigeria has always had a special place in the business of Jumia; this is where we started, and we always said if we can make it here, we can make it anywhere in Africa, which has proven true. With that in mind, we don’t take for granted where we are today.
“Ten years ago, no one believed e-commerce could work, but we are here today and what we have always been proud of at Jumia is that we are a marketplace. We don’t do everything ourselves, we do it with our partners – we are not only proud of where Jumia is but where the entire ecosystem of e-commerce is in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier in his opening remark, the CEO, Jumia Nigeria, Massimiliano Spalazzi said, the company started from a small house in Lekki, “but we knew very well what we wanted to achieve, which today still stands as the number one company value at Jumia – to improve people’s lives through the internet and enabling our partners, vendors and logistics agencies to do better and do more business together with customers.”
Dr. Chinyere Almona, director general of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in her keynote speech that Jumia’s entry into Nigeria ten years ago revolutionized and made e-commerce popular in that country. She also discussed Jumia’s contributions to the growth of e-commerce and the Nigerian economy.
“The performance of Jumia which is hinged on the philosophy of quality service delivery and value for money has positioned the company in a leadership position and reference point within the industry. Your impact on the Nigerian economy is multidimensional and profound.
“Jumia is not only the largest e-commerce platform in Nigeria, but the most innovative providing trading opportunities for thousands of sellers to connect with millions of consumers in Africa. On a joyous note, I wish you a great 10 years ahead,” she noted.
Five stakeholders who have worked together and provided consistent support to help Jumia grow and succeed in Nigeria also received appreciation awards. Top Logistics Partner, Advertiser of the Year, Most Collaborative Partner, Best Food Partner, and Longest Serving Vendor are a few of the categories.
As part of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s Safe and Affordable Helmet Program, Jumia Delivery Associates (riders) in Nigeria received more than 2,000 motorcycle helmets as part of the event’s conclusion (FIA).
Jumia has worked with both foreign and local brands during the course of its ten-year journey in Nigeria, giving the Nigerian customer thousands of products. It is still clear how Jumia has impacted local communities, female entrepreneurs, young people, and the economy.
With more than 1,000 employees, more than 10,000 independent sales agents, and more than 350 3PL partners, the company has been a significant direct and indirect employer of labor in the nation. Since more than 40% of its workers are women and more than 50% of Jumia sellers are women, the company is strongly committed to empowering women and reducing the gender gap through e-commerce.
