Jumia customers are expected to start benefiting from slashed delivery fees after the e-commerce platform launched its City Partner Program in Mt Kenya region.

According to Jumia, the new Program seeks to empower local businesses by boosting their revenue and providing better services to the consumers.

Entrepreneurs are set to earn up to Sh100,000 per month by becoming Jumia pick-up stations using their existing shops and by helping customers in the area to place orders.

“This is a great way for businesses to earn additional income and serve as Jumia representatives in the Mt Kenya region. City Captains will also be responsible for recruiting and training young people in their towns, so that they can earn income via our JForce Program,” said Sam Chappatte, Jumia Kenya CEO.

Jumia hopes that by expanding their pick-up station network and working with local entrepreneurs, they will be able to grow the penetration of e-commerce upcountry in Kenya.

“We continue to see unserved customers in towns outside of Nairobi. We believe our large range of products and competitive pricing is even more relevant for customers in these towns,” he added.

Sam Chappatte. PHOTO/JUMIA

Clients in Kabati, Kenol Town, Sagana, Karatina, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Meru, Chuka, Embu, Mwea and Kutus will have access to over 10 million products on Jumia at half the previous delivery fees.

Chappatte said they will also be able to interact with the City Partners via their local pick up stations, to ask questions about the e-commerce ordering process and for help placing orders.

Loise Njeri, who owns Belosi Cyber Café in Nyeri county, said the partnership with Jumia was a game changer for businesses as she will learn more about e-commerce and its application.

“I have enough space in my shop to accommodate Jumia orders as more Jumia customers will now collect their orders from my shop at a cheaper delivery fee,” said Loise.

George Ngugi, manager of Neema Salon in Kabati, Muranga county, believes the program will expand his knowledge on online sales, boost his revenue and enable him employ more people.

“Jumia is a big company and with that comes bigger expectations as more Jumia customers will now collect their orders from my shop at a cheaper delivery fee,” said Ngugi.

Jumia’s strategy is to expand its countrywide pick-up station network over the course of the year, with over 100 more pick up stations expected to go live each month.