Jumia has announced the appointment of Vinod Goel as the Regional CEO for East Africa.
In his new role, Vinod will oversee operations in both Kenya and Uganda directly, succeeding Charles Ballard as the CEO for the Kenya business.
Vinod's appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Jumia, as the company aims to capitalize on the growth potential in the region.
His track record of success, particularly during his tenure as CEO of Jumia Uganda, where he orchestrated significant top-line growth and improved unit economics, positions him well to drive Jumia's expansion and profitability in East Africa.
With Jumia Kenya poised for growth, the company emphasizes the importance of leadership that can accelerate this trajectory while ensuring sustainable profitability.
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Jumia expresses confidence in Vinod's ability to meet these objectives, citing his drive and skillset as key assets for the role.
Vinod's appointment aligns with Jumia's broader strategy of cultivating senior executives in key regional markets.
This approach has proven successful in West Africa, where Jumia has leveraged synergies among countries to drive growth and efficiency.
In a statement following his appointment, Vinod expressed his enthusiasm for leading Jumia's operations in Kenya and Uganda during this dynamic phase.
"I'm deeply honoured and excited to lead Jumia’s operations in Kenya and Uganda during this exciting phase of growth. Our commitment to delivering an innovative, convenient, and affordable online shopping experience remains unwavering," Vinod stated.
He reaffirmed Jumia's commitment to providing an innovative, convenient, and affordable online shopping experience while fostering partnerships with both local and global brands.
"Additionally, we are dedicated to fostering more brand partnerships with both local and global companies. We are witnessing huge interest from global brands such as Starlink, to be their sole partner and new brands to launch their products overnight in the whole country," he said.
"We will also support brands to launch and expand in other Jumia markets to make them truly pan-African brands starting with Kenya and Uganda."
Vinod brings extensive experience to his new role, having joined Jumia in 2020 as the Head of Global Fulfillment Operations.
His contributions were instrumental in enhancing Jumia's shipping capabilities and expanding its reach across markets.
In 2022, Vinod assumed the role of CEO for Jumia Uganda, where he successfully revitalized the business.
Prior to joining Jumia, Vinod held various positions in Strategy, Finance, and Supply Chain with Lafarge Group, gaining exposure across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
He also has a background in software engineering from his early career in India.
Vinod holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and dual MBA degrees from MDI Gurgaon in India and ESCP Europe in London.
Vinod's appointment underscores Jumia's commitment to driving growth, sustainability, and innovation in the East African market.
As he takes on this new role, all eyes will be on his leadership and the impact it will have on Jumia's continued success in the region.