MTN and Africa Internet Holding (AIH) will partner on more initiatives across the continent after launching a scheme in Ivory Coast which will enable Jumia customers to pay for their purchases using MTN Mobile Money.
Last year MTN partnered online incubator Rocket Internet and Millicom International Cellular to take equal stakes in AIH – which owns companies such as Jumia, Zando and hellofood.
The first initiative plan of the partnership was announced last month, with Jumia Ivory Coast customers now able to pay using MTN Mobile Money and access exclusive offers and discounts, while Jumia is setting up a ‘Jumia Corner’ in MTN branches across the region to reach out to its customers locally and assist them in making online purchases.
According to AIH founder and managing director Jeremy Hodara, he said his firm had found a great partner and more such schemes were ahead.
“We will roll out similar partnerships across the continent,” he said.
According to Hodara, AIH, MTN and Millicom are committed to investing in Africa as a long-term project rather than for quick returns.
“Profitability is important, and is one of our objectives, but for now we focus on sustainable growth that will generate jobs and popularize e-commerce in the region. We want to be profitable once we have grown enough,” he said.
