Africa Internet Group (AIG)-owned e-commerce company Jumia has expanded into Tanzania, taking the number of African countries in which it is present to nine.
Jumia recently launched in Cameroon and Uganda, having already established itself in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya and Ghana, as well as launching a site in the United Kingdom (UK), since launching in 2012.
Disrupt Africa reported last week Jumia secured EUR120 million (US$149.5 million) in funding, with the company promising accelerated growth on the back of the new investment.
The World Economic Outlook Database by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks Tanzania as Africa’s 13th largest economy, with Jumia saying Tanzanians showed an increasing purchasing power and interest in consumer goods that make it an ideal time for online businesses to launch.
“We are building up a long-lasting Internet success story. Jumia is now active in ten countries with over 1,500 employees, offering the widest range of products from fashion to electronics,” Christina Hawley, managing director of new countries at Jumia, said.
“Tanzanians will love our service and we are committed to deliver our products with the highest standards at any time. Now, everyone in Tanzania can just order with a few clicks online and our products will be delivered directly to the customer’s doorstep.”
Jumia also announced it saw an all-time peak in sales during last Friday – typically known as “Black Friday”, as it offered deals and discounts of up to 75 per cent across a large assortment of products. The company said sales were ten times that of the same day in 2013.
“Last year’s Black Friday was already a huge success and we always aim to offer our customers the best deals and prices. That’s why we have more than doubled the amount of items included this year, establishing Jumia as the ultimate, one-stop destination for Black Friday shoppers,” said Jeremy Hodara, co- chief executive officer (co-CEO) of AIG.
“This year, we experienced a massive increase in traffic in all countries. Black Friday and similar events help to educate the market and further underline the megatrend of online shopping in Africa.”
