E-commerce platform Jumia has announced a partnership giving Global logistics and package delivery firm UPS access to its last-mile logistics capabilities and infrastructure to grow its delivery services in Africa.
Leveraging the Jumia infrastructure in Africa, UPS will offer its customers an extended range of delivery solutions, including door-to-door package delivery and collection, with a variety of payment options.
“At the beginning of our journey, 10 years ago, logistics infrastructure was one of the most challenging aspects of our operating environment. This challenge was a catalyst for us to build an unparalleled logistics platform in Africa offering our sellers and consumers reliable, convenient and cost-effective delivery services,” said Apoorva Kumar, Senior Vice President of Logistics, Jumia.
This partnership will also allow UPS to leverage the extensive network of the e-commerce platform’s drop-off and pick-up stations to expand the UPS reach and coverage across more towns and cities in Africa.
The collaboration will initially cover Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, with plans for expansion to Ghana and Ivory Coast, and thereafter to the remaining African countries where Jumia operates.
Commenting on the partnership, Gregory Goba Ble, Vice President of Engineering and Operations for the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa, UPS said the partnership will help small and medium-sized businesses in Africa that make up 90 percent of all businesses on the continent and are the backbone of the economy.
“UPS’s asset-light approach, like the Jumia partnership, offers a pathway for businesses to quickly and reliably connect to new customers around the world through our global network, potentially accelerating their revenue growth,” he said.
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