After a successful pilot program in Ghana, Africa’s largest e-commerce company, Jumia has partnered with a drone logistic company Zipline to integrate the use of drones in its delivery.
Thousands of items will be available for delivery, from fashion products to health, electronics, and beauty items. This method is expected to help Jumia to deliver its products more conveniently and efficiently, Investors King understands.
The service will be available for rural and remote areas in Africa which could be hard or impossible to reach through conventional methods.
The pilot program which was carried out a few months ago covered approximately 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) with several products being successfully tested for delivery. Many items were delivered at a distance of up to 85 kilometers(Approximately 60 miles) in less than one hour.
According to Daniel Marfo, senior vice president of Zipline, “ (this partnership) will make shopping on Jumia even more convenient, sustainable and accessible for its customers.”
Jumia has an extensive logistic network in 11 African countries consisting of more than 30 warehouses and more than 3,000 drop-offs and pick-up stations.
Zipline is a drone delivery company headquartered in California, United States. It uses advanced and sophisticated technology for delivery services.
In the second quarter (Q2) of this year, Jumia delivered 60% of physical goods within a day, up from 57% in the first quarter. The growth has been made possible by the company’s increasing fleet of delivery vehicles and warehouses. Last month, it launched ’20-minute deliveries’ in Lagos, Nigeria to deliver groceries and food.
When the Jumia drone delivery service becomes operational, it will change the face of logistics in Africa, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria where Jumia has its largest market bases. Most importantly, it will give Jumia the leverage to better serve its customers and subsequently increase the company’s revenue.