Jumia partners with Zipline to offer drone delivery services in Africa

The e-commerce firm operating with a focus on Africa, Jumia, has partnered with Zipline a drone-based logistics startup, to commence drone pick-up and delivery services in remote areas in Ghana.

• Jumia's distribution networks and Zipline's automated delivery services will be integrated to provide drone logistics services in remote and rural areas in Ghana, to enable dwellers to order and receive electronics, cosmetics, fashion, and other needed items.
• As the first Africa-focused tech startup listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2019, Jumia is an online marketplace for vendors and sellers and the platform is payment and logistics enabled.
• This partnership is coming as a result of Jumia's plan to penetrate and reach its growing customer base. Customers in remote areas constitute 27% of the company's deliveries, the company claims. The partnership will provide further access to the e-commerce underserved in these communities.
• Zipline provides instant logistics services. It uses its technology stack, robotics, and autonomy to design, manufacture, and operate automated delivery systems. It currently provides drone delivery of blood, vaccines, and other medical equipment in Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and the US, including its recent expansion to Japan.  
• The combined delivery service between Jumia and Zipline will be expanded to Ivory Coast and Nigeria after the successful completion of the pilot testing of the drone delivery service in Ghana, the companies claim.