Africa’s Amazon Looks to Solve Addresses Problem With Vivo Tieup
- Jumia deal lets customers pick up packages at gas stations
- Both companies have sold shares in IPOs over past 18 months
Inside a Jumia Technologies AG distribution warehouse in Lagos, Nigeria.
Photographer: George Osodi/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Jumia Technologies AG’s plan to expand its online retail and trading platform in less developed parts of Africa has long had one significant challenge: A lack of formal addresses for deliveries.
That may be about to change due to an agreement with Vivo Energy Plc, the London-listed owner of more than 2,100 Shell and Engen-branded service stations across the continent. Under the terms of the deal, the sites will be used as pick-up points for Jumia-bought goods and customers will be able to pay for them at the same time as buying gas.