Jumia expands in online Africa food delivery in quest for profit

A package set for delivery is seen at the Jumia warehouse in Lagos, Nigeria. Expanding into food fits with Jumia’s strategy of bringing e-commerce to countries where global giants such as Amazon.com Inc and Alibaba have yet to make major inroads. — Reuters

Jumia Technologies AG is expanding in online food delivery as the pioneering Africa e-commerce business looks to grow beyond its main market of trading phones and electronics.

Food makes up 20% of overall transactions on the platform and is growing quickly, co-chief executive officer Sacha Poignonnec said in an interview. The company is expanding the service into Egypt, where there is a gap in the market following the exit of Uber Eats, he said.