Jumia and Zipline launch drone package delivery in Ghana

Jumia and Zipline launch drone package delivery in Ghana

The on-demand drone delivery service will soon be available in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire thanks to a partnership between Jumia and Zipline, an all-African e-commerce startup.

For quick home deliveries, particularly to customers living in distant locations, Jumia announced it will connect its current distribution network with Zipline’s automated on-demand delivery system.

Due to the growth of its logistics and distribution networks, Jumia has been gaining popularity in rural Africa. According to data from last year, these areas accounted for 27% of all orders placed on the company’s website.

“Jumia will be able to provide our customers with on-demand delivery of the things they require quickly thanks to the most up-to-date instant logistics technology. Access will be swift and practical thanks to Zipline’s rapid logistics technology.

According to EVP Jumia Group’s COO Apoorva Kumar, “This would assist Jumia’s commitment to sustainability and innovation and provide much needed access to rural and distant locations where conventional delivery systems have difficulty.

The drones used in Ghana have a maximum payload of 11.8 liters, or 6.6 lbs (3 kg), therefore the service will only be used to deliver a few carefully chosen products.

“Zipline is happy to collaborate with Jumia in order to employ rapid logistics to enhance the quality of life for customers throughout Africa. This partnership will improve customers’ access to goods and support the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses. Shopping on Jumia will become even more convenient, sustainable, and accessible for its customers thanks to Zipline’s safe and effective rapid logistics system, according to Daniel Marfo, senior vice president of Zipline Africa.

According to Jumia, the launch follows a successful test between its Ghanaian hubs.

The collaboration also continues Jumia’s recent efforts to broaden its selection of environmentally friendly delivery choices, which included recent agreements with electric vehicle companies Solar Taxi in Ghana and eBee in Kenya.

Beginning operations in Rwanda and subsequently expanding to Ghana, Zipline, a 2014 startup, used its self-piloted electric drones to deliver vital medical supplies including blood and vaccines. Since then, the startup has broadened its operations to include additional African nations as well as the United States, where it serves as a logistics supplier for numerous businesses, including Novant Health and retail behemoth Walmart.

Image Credit: Jumia