Jumia Doubles Down on Nigeria in a Push for Profitability

E-commerce giant Jumia sets its sights on Nigeria’s vast potential to achieve profitability.

In a bid to turn the corner and become profitable, Jumia Technologies, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa, is sharpening its focus on Nigeria, the continent’s most populous nation. This strategic shift involves consolidating its Nigerian warehouse operations into a single, larger facility in Lagos to streamline costs.

Key points:

  • Jumia will consolidate its three Nigerian warehouses into a single, 30,000-square-meter depot in Lagos.
  • The company plans to expand its reach by adding services to more cities across Nigeria.
  • Jumia views Nigeria’s massive population (200 million) as a key driver of achieving profitability.
  • The company acknowledges the current economic challenges in Nigeria, including currency devaluation and rising living costs, but remains optimistic about the medium-term outlook.

Jumia: Building for Growth

Jumia’s CEO, Francis Dufay, emphasizes the company’s commitment to “be sized and organized for significant growth.” Despite reporting an operating loss in the first quarter of 2024, Jumia is confident that its strategic moves in Nigeria will pave the way for future success.

The Nigerian market presents both challenges and opportunities for Jumia. While the devaluation of the Naira and rising living costs pose hurdles, Jumia is taking steps to mitigate these issues. This includes offering buy-now-pay-later financing options to make products more accessible to cost-conscious consumers.

Long-Term Vision

Jumia remains committed to the Nigerian market, believing that the current economic difficulties are temporary. The company is banking on the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the central bank to revive the economy and attract investment. Jumia’s focus on operational efficiency and adapting to customer needs positions it to capitalize on Nigeria’s vast consumer potential.


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