Jumia and Zipline partnering on African e-commerce drone delivery service
E-commerce platform Jumia and Zipline will be working together to deploy a drone-based automated, on-demand delivery in Africa.
In a statement posted on its website today (1 September), Jumia said that a pilot programme and testing were launched a few months ago in Ghana and they will be looking to expand to other countries.
The initial pilot was carried out across multiple use cases with varying product assortment logging up to 2,500 kilometres in testing. Deliveries to outlying Jumia hubs as far as 85 kilometres from the take-off location at the Zipline operational hub in Omenako were completed in less than one hour with real-time visibility of the drone for all stakeholders in the delivery cycle.
Jumia said that “eventual plans” call for expansion to Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, and “ultimately to other countries in the future”.
Apoorva Kumar, EVP Jumia, Group COO, commented: “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, and beauty, or other categories, Zipline’s instant logistics system will provide fast and convenient access. 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.”
Daniel Marfo, SVP – Zipline Africa, added: “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’.”
Jumia added that its logistics network includes 30+ warehouses and 3,000+ drop-off stations and pick-up stations, located across 11-countries.
