Jumia is today one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in Africa, but it didn’t start out that way. In fact, the company’s original name was Kasuwa, which means “market” in the Hausa language.
Kasuwa was launched in Nigeria in 2012 with the support of Rocket Internet, MTN, and Millicom. The company was founded by Jeremy Hodara and Sacha Poignonnec, ex-McKinsey consultants, along with Tunde Kehinde and Raphael Kofi Afaedor.
Kasuwa was initially a marketplace for electronics and fashion items, but it quickly expanded to offer a wider range of products, including groceries, home appliances, and more. The company also expanded its reach to other African countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and South Africa.
In 2014, Kasuwa was renamed Jumia. The new name was chosen to reflect the company’s pan-African ambitions and its commitment to providing a convenient and affordable shopping experience for consumers across the continent.
Jumia’s Growth and Success in Nigeria
Jumia has grown rapidly since its launch in Nigeria in 2012. The company now has over 100 million active customers and operates in 11 African countries. Jumia is also the largest e-commerce platform in Nigeria, accounting for over 50% of the country’s online retail market.
Jumia’s success in Nigeria can be attributed to a number of factors, including:
- A wide range of products and services: Jumia offers a wide range of products and services, from electronics and fashion to groceries and home appliances. This makes it a one-stop shop for consumers who are looking for a variety of items.
- Convenient shopping experience: Jumia makes it easy for consumers to shop online. The company offers a variety of payment options, including cash on delivery, and it provides fast and reliable shipping.
- Affordable prices: Jumia offers competitive prices on its products and services. The company also runs regular promotions and discounts, which makes it even more affordable for consumers to shop online.
Jumia’s Impact on the Nigerian Business Landscape
Jumia has had a significant impact on the Nigerian business landscape. The company has created jobs and helped to boost the growth of the e-commerce sector. Jumia has also helped to promote financial inclusion by providing consumers with access to a variety of payment options.
In addition, Jumia has helped to empower Nigerian businesses by providing them with a platform to reach a wider audience. The company has also helped to reduce the cost of doing business for Nigerian businesses by providing them with access to a variety of logistics and marketing services.
Conclusion
Jumia is a leading e-commerce platform in Africa, and it has played a significant role in the growth and development of the Nigerian business landscape. The company offers a wide range of products and services at competitive prices, and it makes it easy for consumers to shop online. Jumia has also created jobs and helped to promote financial inclusion in Nigeria.
FAQs
What is Jumia’s original name?
Jumia’s original name was Kasuwa.
Why was Kasuwa renamed Jumia?
Kasuwa was renamed Jumia in 2014 to reflect the company’s pan-African ambitions and its commitment to providing a convenient and affordable shopping experience for consumers across the continent.
What are the benefits of shopping on Jumia?
Jumia offers a number of benefits to shoppers, including:
- A wide range of products and services
- Convenient shopping experience
- Affordable prices
- Secure payment options
- Fast and reliable shipping
How has Jumia impacted the Nigerian business landscape?
Jumia has had a significant impact on the Nigerian business landscape by:
- Creating jobs
- Boosting the growth of the e-commerce sector
- Promoting financial inclusion
- Empowering Nigerian businesses
- Reducing the cost of doing business for Nigerian businesses