KAMPALA, August 13, 2026 — The World Bank Group [WBG] is investing in Africa’s digital commerce infrastructure to help small businesses access new markets, create jobs and expand economic opportunities across the continent.
The International Finance Corporation [IFC], the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is investing US$ 25 million [ approximately Shs 92.73 billion] in equity in Jumia Technologies AG [Jumia], Africa’s largest publicly listed e-commerce platform.
The investment will support Jumia’s next phase of growth across its core African markets, including the expansion of its integrated marketplace and logistics network.
Through Jumia, the investment is expected to enable about 60,000 local active sellers annually, support approximately 1,800 direct jobs and create income-generating opportunities for more than 100,000 independent sales agents.
The World Bank Group said strengthening digital commerce infrastructure is increasingly important as African businesses seek to expand beyond local markets.
Reliable access to online marketplaces, logistics networks and digital payment systems can enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to increase sales, improve productivity and reach more consumers with a wider range of affordable goods and services.
The investment is also expected to improve access to digital commerce tools and services, enhance price transparency and support more inclusive and resilient private sector development across Africa.
Jumia chief executive officer Francis Dufay said the IFC investment was a milestone for both the company and Africa’s e-commerce sector.
“The support of the World Bank Group is a milestone for Jumia and for African e-commerce more broadly,” Dufay said.
He said the investment recognised the company’s recent efforts to strengthen its business and the platform’s impact on small businesses, jobs and consumers across its eight markets.
“With partners like the IFC, we can accelerate the digital commerce infrastructure Africa needs,” he said.
Farid Fezoua, IFC Director for Equity, Funds and Venture Capital, said Jumia demonstrated how pan-African e-commerce platforms could expand economic opportunities at scale.
“Jumia demonstrates how pan-African e-commerce platforms can expand economic opportunity at scale,” Fezoua said.
He said the investment would support Jumia’s growth while contributing to job creation, the digitisation of supply chains and distribution channels, and the mobilisation of private investment.
https://thecooperator.news/ifc-issues-rwanda-franc-umuganda-bond-to-support-rwandas-capital-markets/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
