To reduce data costs and boost e-commerce in Nigeria, online shopping destination Jumia has launched its free internet service with MTN. The move means it won’t charge users of its mobile network for the data they consume while using the Jumia app.
“According to Google Africa, 76% of its users access Google via their mobile device,” says Nicolas Martin, CEO of Jumia Nigeria. “The figure for Jumia is quite similar, with 70% of users accessing Jumia on their phone – and a significant number through the app with 255% more app downloads on both iOs and Android in the first six months of 2015 than through the entire year of 2014.
“In order to provide the best customer experience, it is time for Jumia to make its services available for more people, anywhere at anytime,” he adds.
The greatest barrier to extending internet mobile access in Africa is the cost of data. In Lagos, 1Gb of data on mobile networks – the only means of accessing the Internet for most – is about $12. With this in mind, Jumia has been rolling out initiatives to bring down the cost of connectivity to provide people with full access to online shopping through jumia.com without data charges.
“We are proud of this new partnership with MTN that will lead to an increasing value for our customers,” Martin adds. “We believe that a better internet access, and even more mobile, will foster economic development for both small businesses and Africa as a whole.”
Android, Blackberry, and iOS smartphones can now browse the Jumia web site via the Jumia mobile app with no data charges. Other sites available through the app include Jovago, Africa’s leading hotel booking online platform and Kaymu, the leading online shopping community in Africa.
