Pan African technology company; Jumia has entered into a partnership with American company; Zipline.
The partnership between Jumia which has a marketplace, logistics service and payment service and Zipline which manufactures, designs, and operates delivery drones, will make it possible for Jumia to make on demand drone delivery services available to all e-commerce users on the African continent.
The news is coming after a pilot phase was first carried out in Ghana earlier in the year.
The pilot test in question executed 1 hour deliveries from as far as 85 kilometres from take off point. It also involved real time visibility of the drones for all observers of the process. The use of drones in the logistics sector in Africa is still to a large extent, untapped. Jumia could with this move, become the brand at the forefront of causing change in consumer mindset and behaviour to be more open to drone deliveries just as more consumers on the African continent, now shop online.
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Apoorva Kumar who is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EVP Jumia stated that, “Using the latest instant logistics technology will allow Jumia to offer our consumers on-demand delivery of the products they need – instantly. Whether they’re ordering electronics, fashion, health, beauty, or other categories, Zipline’s instant logistics system will provide fast and convenient access.”
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He added that, “This will support Jumia’s commitment to sustainability and innovation and provide much-needed access to rural and remote areas where conventional delivery services have challenges.”
The drone delivery services will however, not be immediately available in all the eleven (11) countries that Jumia currently have a presence in. It will be rolled out gradually across board.
Jumia recently launched a new integrated logistics network facility and warehouse in Nairobi, Kenya. The move will also make it possible for other e-commerce establishments in Africa, to use its technology and expansive network. Combined with the new partnership for drone services Jumia, is set to evolve into becoming an ecosystem stimulator.
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The Senior Vice President of Zipline Africa; Daniel Marfo, made it known that Zipline is more than happy about its partnership with Jumia and stated that the partnership will lead to more growth for Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.
In his words, “Zipline is pleased to partner with Jumia to use instant logistics to improve the lives of customers across Africa. This collaboration will increase access to goods for customers and help small and medium-sized businesses grow. Zipline’s safe and efficient instant logistics system will make shopping on Jumia even more convenient, sustainable and accessible for its customers.”
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The collaboration between Jumia and Zipline will also help steer the continent towards a logistics method that is greener and more environmentally friendly. This is because on the one hand the instant logistics method utilized by Zipline is autonomous and electric in nature thereby reducing the occurrence of greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 98 percent when compared to deliveries done with other modes of transportation.
Zipline’s approach also aligns with Jumia’s pledge to implement delivery services that are eco friendly. To achieve this, Jumia has also in Kenya partnered with eBee a Kenyan electric mobility company that offers electric bicycles to businesses and consumers alike, and Solar Taxi which focuses on producing solar powered electric vehicles in Ghana.
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