Jumia has offered the support of its integrated ecosystem which include a marketplace, logistics and online payments to governments and other countries in Africa, as part of the global action against the COVID-19.

Diana Owusu-Kyereko, CEO of the company said, “We are proud to partner with relevant authorities to help fight against COVID-19 and support our communities which continue to support us.

"E-commerce platforms like ours, with e-payment and last-mile delivery capabilities, are uniquely positioned to be part of Africa’s response strategy to this pandemic and we are swiftly taking actions.

Our Jumia Heroes - delivery and warehouse operations staff - are at the frontlines taking all necessary precautions to ensure our customers receive their orders safely," she added.

Jumia’s actions to support governments in their fight against COVID-19 include Facilitation of social distancing by enabling consumers to buy online. By offering contactless delivery options, we eliminate physical contact and potentially reduce person to person infection.

They will also be providing access to affordable basic foods and sanitary essentials on the marketplace platform.

By partnering with thousands of vendors, like Reckitt Benckiser and others, we are able to maintain fair prices and fight against speculation.

Jumia has waived the commission on specific sanitary products to help consumers get them at the lowest price and implemented measures to control prices.

Offering Jumia’s logistics networks to help health pamphlets and key products to where they are needed.

Additionally, Jumia provides safe deliveries to consumers everywhere, including remote and rural areas, withJumia’s integrated logistics network. This is important especially for elderly and sick people at home.

The e-commerce company will be sourcing and distribution of face masks.

"Leveraging our access to supply, in particular through our network of vendors outside Africa, we are donating certified face masks to Health Ministries in Ghana, but also in others countries like Kenya, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, we offered to coordinate the distribution across healthcare facilities and workers, leveraging the company’s last-mile distribution," the CEO said.

The company is also offering ncentives to pay online through JumiaPay, in support of the governments’ bid to reduce the risk of transmission through physical cash.

"In most countries where JumiaPay operates, we have offered special discounts for all payments done via Jumia Pay to promote cashless transactions," Owusu-Kyereko said.

Jumia is also enhancing the visibility of key health instructions. Jumia attracts millions of customer visits and searches on its platform.

"As such, we are collaborating with the Ministries of Health in Ghana, by using our online platform to share important health messages from the Ministries," the Jumia CEO said.

"We are also engaging with the Health Ministries in other countries where Jumia operates to offer the same.

"We anticipate that as the pandemic evolves, Health authorities may need to address different areas of concerns and a platform like Jumia can amplify the reach of much-needed information," she added.