The World Bank Group is investing US$25 million in equity in Jumia Technologies AG to expand digital commerce infrastructure across Africa, support small businesses, and create jobs. The investment, announced on August 12, 2026, in Washington, D.C., is expected to help approximately 60,000 local annual active sellers reach broader markets, according to a press release by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It will also support around 1,800 direct jobs and generate income opportunities for more than 100,000 independent sales agents. The initiative aims to strengthen inclusive private sector development across the continent. It reflects a broader strategy to enable African entrepreneurs to participate more fully in the digital economy.
As digital commerce continues to grow across Africa, reliable access to online marketplaces, logistics networks, and digital payments has become increasingly important. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are seeking new ways to expand beyond local markets. Strengthening this infrastructure can help firms increase sales and improve productivity. It can also connect consumers with a wider range of affordable goods and services. These trends underscore the rationale behind the investment.
The IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is channeling the US$25 million equity investment into Jumia (NYSE: JMIA), Africa’s largest public e-commerce platform. The funding will support Jumia’s next phase of growth across its core African markets. It will help strengthen the company’s integrated marketplace and logistics network. By expanding access to digital commerce tools and services, the investment will help businesses grow and improve price transparency. It is also expected to contribute to more resilient private sector development across Africa.
“The support of the World Bank Group is a milestone for Jumia and for African e-commerce more broadly. 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. With partners like the IFC, we can accelerate the digital commerce infrastructure Africa needs,” said Francis Dufay, CEO of Jumia.
Farid Fezoua, Director for Equity, Funds, and Venture Capital at the IFC, added that Jumia demonstrates how pan-African e-commerce platforms can expand economic opportunity at scale. He noted that the investment supports growth while helping create jobs, digitize supply chains, and mobilize private investment.
Jumia operates across eight African countries, connecting over 60,000 sellers with customers through its marketplace. Its platform includes a vast logistics network and payment gateways that facilitate transactions in select markets. The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, works in more than 100 countries to advance private sector development. In fiscal year 2025, it committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries. The investment marks a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s digital economy.