Mastercard and Jumia expand relationship to accelerate e-commerce growth in Africa

Mastercard agrees to become a shareholder in leading e-commerce platform

29th March 2019: Jumia, the leading pan-African e-commerce platform, today announced that Mastercard (NYSE:MA) has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to become an investor and form a strategic partnership to grow e-commerce operations and support the digital transformation of the continent. Currently, e-commerce is nascent in Africa and accounts for less than 1% of total retail volumes. However, there are over 400 million internet users across the continent – amongst the largest in the world – which highlights the vast potential for growth.

Under the new agreement, the two companies will look to build on Mastercard’s presence across Africa, bringing its deep knowledge and expertise in payment solutions and technologies to spark new innovations and spur development in new customer segments. As part of the deal, the companies have also agreed to build on their current efforts to accelerate the adoption of electronic payment platforms among consumers and merchants

We are delighted to strengthen our existing partnership with Mastercard, and consolidate Jumia’s position as the leading e-commerce platform in Africa. This investment highlights the strategic synergies between the two companies, as we both seek to develop the payments ecosystem and drive financial inclusion across Africa.

said Sacha Poignonnec, co-CEO of Jumia

Jumia and Mastercard first partnered in 2016 with the successful launch of Mastercard Payment Gateway Solutions in several markets. That same year, Mastercard supported Jumia in the launch of JumiaPay, the payment service of the Jumia platform that facilitates transactions for consumers and sellers

Brick and mortar stores still dominate the commerce industry in Africa, but e-commerce is rapidly on the rise. As a global expert in digital payments with local expertise, Mastercard will provide its unparalleled capabilities to help create further awareness about Africa’s booming e-commerce sector, and allow us to make our services more secure, seamless and reliable for our customers.

said Sami Louali, Executive Vice President for Corporate Development and Financial Services, Jumia

Mastercard has been rapidly expanding its presence and partnerships in Africa, bringing new technologies to the continent that help to enhance the consumer experience and enable greater access and inclusion. This partnership with Jumia underpins Mastercard’s commitment to transforming Africa’s digital payments landscape. In recent years, we have invested heavily in technology, people and local markets, and have seen tremendous growth in online payments in particular. We look forward to working with Jumia to enhance the region’s digital infrastructure and ecosystem.

said Elcin Yanik, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Middle East and Africa at Mastercard

About Jumia

Jumia is a leading e-commerce platform in Africa. Our marketplace is supported by our proprietary logistics business, Jumia Logistics, and our digital payment and fintech platform, JumiaPay. Jumia Logistics enables the seamless delivery of millions of packages while JumiaPay facilitates online payments and the distribution of a broad range of digital and financial services.

For more information about Jumia:
Abdesslam Benzitouni
[email protected]

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to events that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Jumia’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Jumia may not be able to maintain its existing partnerships, strategic alliances or other business relationships or enter into new ones. Jumia may have limited control over such relationships, and these relationships may not provide the anticipated benefits.