The World Bank Group is investing US$25 million in Jumia Technologies AG to strengthen digital commerce infrastructure across Africa, with the investment expected to help small businesses reach new markets, support jobs and create more income opportunities.
The investment, made through the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is expected to support approximately 60,000 local annual active sellers, around 1,800 direct jobs and income-generating opportunities for more than 100,000 independent sales agents.
The funding will support Jumia’s next phase of growth across its eight core African markets, strengthening its marketplace and logistics network. As more businesses move online, reliable access to digital marketplaces, delivery networks and payment systems is becoming increasingly important for entrepreneurs looking to grow beyond their local markets.
Expanding Opportunities for Small Businesses
For small businesses, stronger digital commerce infrastructure can make it easier to reach customers, increase sales and access markets that may otherwise be difficult to enter. It can also improve access to goods and services for consumers while supporting greater price transparency.
The investment will help Jumia expand the systems that connect sellers with customers and support the movement and payment of goods across its markets.
“The support of the World Bank Group is a milestone for Jumia and for African e-commerce more broadly,” said Francis Dufay, CEO of Jumia. “It validates both the discipline we have brought to our business in recent years and the tangible impact our platform has on small businesses, jobs, and consumers across our eight markets.”
Jumia currently connects more than 60,000 sellers with customers through its marketplace. Its logistics network supports the shipment and delivery of packages, while payment gateways, licensed payment service providers and other partners facilitate transactions in selected markets.
For entrepreneurs, these services provide an important link between having a product and being able to reach a larger customer base. Expanding that infrastructure can help businesses operate more efficiently while creating new opportunities for people working across sales, logistics and related services.
“With partners like the IFC, we can accelerate the digital commerce infrastructure Africa needs,” Dufay said.
Supporting Jobs and Inclusive Growth
The investment is also expected to contribute to employment and wider private sector development. The projected 1,800 direct jobs and opportunities for more than 100,000 independent sales agents show the potential impact of expanding digital commerce beyond online transactions alone.
“Jumia demonstrates how pan-African e-commerce platforms can expand economic opportunity at scale,” said Farid Fezoua, Director for Equity, Funds and Venture Capital at the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group.
“Our investment supports the company’s next phase of growth while contributing to create jobs, digitizing supply chains and distributions channels and mobilizing private investment,” Fezoua added.
Jumia operates across eight African countries and uses technology to provide convenient and affordable online services while helping businesses reach and serve customers.
The IFC investment is part of the World Bank Group’s wider focus on using private sector investment to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record US$71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.
