Zipline Collaborates With Jumia, Setting Standard For Drone Delivery In Africa

Top e-commerce site in Africa, Jumia, and the largest instant delivery service in the world Zipline announced a partnership on Thursday to introduce automated, on-demand delivery for e-commerce in Africa.

The partnership would combine Zipline's automated, on-demand delivery technology with Jumia's current distribution network, according to a statement from Apoorva Kumar, EVP and Group COO of Jumia.

By working together, according to Kumar, customers will be able to order exactly the things they need, when they need them, and from the comfort of their own homes, with immediate, on-demand delivery.

He said that testing and the pilot programme were started in Ghana a few months ago.

“Using the latest instant logistics technology will allow Jumia to offer our consumers on-demand delivery of the products they need – instantly.

‘’Whether they are ordering electronics, fashion, health, beauty, or other categories, Zipline’s instant logistics system will provide fast and convenient access.

‘’This will support Jumia’s commitment to sustainability and innovation and provide much-needed access to rural and remote areas where conventional delivery services have challenges,’’ he said.

Kumar said that an initial pilot was carried out across multiple use cases with varying product assortment logging up to 2,500km in testing.

He stated that future plans call for development in Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire, as well as eventually into other nations.

According to Daniel Marfo of Zipline Africa, Zipline is happy to collaborate with Jumia to leverage fast logistics to enhance the quality of life for customers across Africa.

According to Marfo, this partnership would improve customers' access to goods and support the expansion of small and medium-sized businesses.

He claimed that Zipline's secure and effective rapid logistics system will increase customers' buying of Jumia's convenience, sustainability, and accessibility.

Jumia's 11-country market featured more than 30 warehouses and more than 3,000 drop-off and pick-up locations in its logistics network.

In contrast, Zipline's immediate logistics system features a fleet of light, electric aircraft, a world-class autonomy platform, and flight management algorithms that cut greenhouse gas emissions by 98% when compared to traditional car delivery.

The goal of this system was to enable all customers, from the most metropolitan to the most rural, to receive the products they required in 45 minutes or less while cutting last-mile delivery carbon emissions by up to 98% in comparison to conventional cars.

He claimed that Jumia's collaboration with Zipline was a part of its dedication to offering consumers economical and environmentally responsible delivery of their online shopping.