Jumia released its inaugural Environmental Social Governance Report on Wednesday, outlining its ESG strategy and providing an overview of the company’s current sustainability policies.
The report uses non-financial data from Jumia for 2021 and includes disclosures in accordance with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s (SASB) materiality topics for e-commerce firms as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). While acknowledging the importance of traditional ESG emphasis areas, Jumia emphasizes the unique role that e-commerce plays in creating greater equality in Africa. As a result, the company’s sustainability strategy’s first pillar is “Leveraging technology to enhance everyday lives in Africa.”
In the context of its sustainability strategy, the report highlights five material themes: Environment, Social, which include providing Convenience, Affordability, and Accessibility for Consumers, empowering sellers, partners, and the community, and building an engaged inclusive and diverse workforce.
“We are proud that through our actions and our ecosystem we are contributing to social development, generating employment and business opportunities, and closing inequality gaps for thousands of people,” said Jumia Co-Founders and CEOs Sacha Poignonnec and Jeremy Hodara.
“It is exciting to note that we have endless opportunities to make choices which are good for our business and also good for our people, communities, and the planet. As a growing entity on the path to profitability, this alignment between sustainability and our business objectives is a critical success factor,” said Jumia Chief Sustainability Officer and Chairwoman Nigeria Juliet Anammah.
Jumia’s ESG Report follows the company’s year-end financial results, which were highlighted by a significant acceleration and growth momentum in the fourth quarter of 2021, with new records set across all usage indicators. Quarterly active consumers, orders, and GMV all hit new highs of 3.8 million, 11.3 million, and $330 million, respectively, up 29 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent year over year.
