Online shopping in Uganda used to be a service that was only accessible to a few people, but over the last few years, ecommerce websites like Jumia Uganda have introduced innovations to make it possible for almost anyone to shop online in Uganda.
There are no longer any barriers to online shopping in Uganda – you don’t need an address, bank account, or debit card, and you can even receive your order on the same day. Jumia even has a system where an agent can place an order on your behalf, so you just need to receive and pay for your order.
Jumia has introduced all these innovative solutions to make online shopping in Uganda accessible to everyone. I have shopped at Jumia over the last few years and closely examined their business. In this article, I have identified 14 ways that Jumia has simplified the process of online shopping in Uganda and made it possible for anyone to shop online.
If you think you need to be bigger or more prepared to shop online, go through this list, and you may be surprised to find that virtually anyone can shop online at Jumia today.
Ways Jumia has simplified online shopping in Uganda.
Jumia has made significant efforts to simplify the process of online shopping in Uganda, introducing various innovative solutions to make the experience more convenient and accessible for users. Here is a list of 14 ways that Jumia has made it easier for people to shop online in Uganda.
- Checks Products for Quality
- Cost Effective Shipping
- Free Shipping in Kampala
- Faster Shipping Time
- Don’t have an Address? No Problem
- No Need for Debit Card or Bank Account, Just Pay on Delivery
- Pay with mobile money
- Multiple Shopping Channels
- Door-to-Door Delivery
- Secure Online Payment
- Order Products not available Locally with Jumia Global
- Amazing Prices and Deals
- An Agent can place for you an Order
- Free Data Access from MTN Uganda
Also read; 13 Reasons to Shop Online in Uganda
1. Checks Products for Quality
Are you concerned about the quality of goods available at online stores in Uganda? Many Ugandans are hesitant to try online shopping because of this issue, but Jumia has a solution: Jumia Express. This value-added service involves Jumia physically inspecting and storing products from third-party merchants before listing them Jumia website for sale.
Items that pass the Jumia Express certification process are labelled with the Jumia Express badge. To earn this badge, merchants must physically send their products to Jumia for inspection. During this process, products are checked for quality and authenticity, and only those that pass the checks are labelled with the Jumia Express badge.
By choosing items with the Jumia Express badge, you can significantly reduce your chances of purchasing fake or substandard products from the store.
Also read; Online Shopping Safety: 15 Ways Jumia is Protecting Customers
2. Cost Effective Shipping
When shopping on Jumia, it is often more cost-effective to order all your items from the same seller or merchant, as this allows for combined or consolidated shipping. This means that all the things you have ordered will be shipped together rather than separately by different merchants, which can lead to higher shipping costs.
However, it can be challenging to find all the items you need from the same seller, especially in a marketplace like Jumia, where there are multiple merchants offering a wide range of products.
To address this issue, Jumia offers a service called Jumia Express, which allows customers to order from different merchants and still benefit from the cost savings of consolidated shipping. This is because all Jumia Express items are already at Jumia’s warehouse, so they can be shipped together.
If you want an idea of the shipping fees offered by Jumia, Click Here!
3. Free Shipping in Kampala
If you live in Kampala and order items from Jumia Express, you may be eligible for free shipping. However, some conditions apply to this offer. First, you must order items worth at least UGX 100,000 (Ugandan shillings) to qualify for free shipping or delivery. Additionally, the offer excludes heavy items, so you will likely be able to order mobile phones and most fashion and beauty products and have them delivered for free to your address in Kampala.
This offer from Jumia Uganda can be a great way to save on shipping costs if you live in Kampala and want to order items from Jumia Express. By ordering items worth at least UGX 100,000 and ensuring that they are not classified as heavy items, you can have Jumia deliver your purchases to your doorstep at no extra cost.
Also read; Clear Up Confusion: Shipping vs. Delivery Explained
4. Faster Shipping Time
This is yet another by-product of Jumia Express. Jumia Express is a service that physically stores items in Jumia’s warehouse, allowing faster shipping. In my shopping experience at Jumia Uganda, I have noticed that the company is generally more efficient and quicker at handling orders when compared to its merchants. This is because Jumia takes over the handling and shipping process from its Jumia Express merchants, creating a better customer experience for Ugandan online shoppers.
In fact, Jumia is so confident in its ability to ship orders quickly that it promises same-day delivery for orders made in the Kampala metropolitan area and 2-3 days for orders in other parts of the country.
Occasionally, it is even possible to get your order the same day in Kampala if you place your order before 11 am. Overall, the use of Jumia Express and the company’s focus on fast shipping times make it easier and more convenient for customers to shop online with Jumia in Uganda.
5. Don’t have an Address? No Problem
Traditionally, when ordering items online, customers must enter a physical address where their order will be delivered. However, it can be challenging in Uganda to provide a proper address, as many households do not have a formal physical address, and the address system is not always clearly defined. This can make it difficult for these households to shop online.
To address this issue, Jumia and other online stores in Uganda have begun building pickup stations where customers can pick up their orders after placing them online. Jumia has established an extensive network of pickup stations around the country, making it easy for customers to collect their orders from pickup stations near them conveniently.
To use this service, customers simply need to select the items they want to purchase and choose the pickup station closest to them during the checkout process. The order will then be delivered to the selected pickup station, and the customer will receive a call to let them know it is ready for pickup. This eliminates the need for a physical address when shopping online, making it easier and more convenient for customers who do not have one.
Also read; Shipping address vs. Billing address: Understanding the Differences
6. No Need for Debit Card or Bank Account, Just Pay on Delivery
According to the Deposit Protection Fund, only 13% of Uganda’s population has a bank account, representing approximately 14 million accounts in a country with a population of over 45 million. This means that many people in Uganda do not have debit cards or bank accounts and, therefore, cannot make online payments.
To address this issue and make online shopping more inclusive, Jumia introduced a cash-on-delivery (COD) option. With COD, customers can select the items they want to purchase, enter their delivery address or pickup location, and have them delivered. Payment is only required once the order has been delivered.
This system is beneficial for the unbanked or underbanked, and it also helps build trust with customers who may be sceptical about shopping online. Some customers may be hesitant to pay for an order before receiving it, so COD allows them to try online shopping without worrying about paying upfront.
However, COD has its challenges. Some customers may place orders without intending to pay, leading to rejected orders and increased delivery costs for online stores. As a result, some stores have stopped offering COD. Jumia, however, has continued to provide this option, although it is only available in some locations outside of central Uganda.
If you don’t have a debit card or are hesitant about online shopping, Jumia’s COD option is an excellent way to try it out. You can place your order and pay once it has been delivered, giving you the opportunity to experience the convenience of online shopping without any upfront payment.
Also read; Top 5 Pay-On-Delivery Online Shopping Stores in Uganda
7. Pay with mobile money.
Suppose you prefer to avoid paying with cash on delivery (COD) and don’t have a credit card. In that case, Jumia offers the option of securely paying for your order online using either MTN Mobile Money or Airtel Money. Mobile money payments are a convenient way to shop online, as they allow you to make secure payments using your mobile phone without needing a bank account or debit card.
To pay for your order using mobile money, you must have an account with either MTN Mobile Money or Airtel Money. If you don’t already have an account, you can sign up for one by purchasing an MTN or Airtel SIM card. Once you have an account, you can add funds to it using cash or a bank transfer and then use those funds to pay for your order on Jumia.
Using mobile money to pay for your online purchases is a simple and convenient way to shop, and it makes the process of online shopping more accessible to everyone. Whether you are unbanked or underbanked or just prefer the convenience of mobile payments, Jumia’s mobile money option is a great way to shop online in Uganda.
Also read; Top 7 Payment Methods for Online Shopping in Uganda
8. Multiple Shopping Channels
Traditionally, online shopping was done on computers, but with the widespread adoption of smartphones in Uganda, it has become increasingly common for Ugandans to shop online using their mobile devices. To accommodate this shift, Jumia has optimized its website and app for different platforms and screen sizes, creating a good shopping experience for all customers.
According to Jumia’s Uganda Mobile Trends 2022 report, 41% of mobile traffic to the Jumia website comes from the Opera Mini browser. This is interesting because it suggests that a significant portion of this traffic is not from smartphones but feature phones with limited screen sizes. The report also found that 87% of all orders on Jumia Uganda were made on mobile devices, either through a mobile browser or the Jumia app.
This means that no matter what device you have, as long as you have internet access, you should be able to shop on Jumia. The company’s multiple shopping channels make it easy and convenient for customers to shop online, regardless of their device or internet connection.
9. Door-to-Door Delivery
Another way that Jumia simplifies online shopping in Uganda is by offering a door-to-door delivery service for orders placed on the platform. This means that if you have a valid home address, Jumia will deliver your order directly to your doorstep.
It’s important to note that this door-to-door delivery service costs up to 50% more than picking up your order at a pickup station. This is because the delivery service involves additional costs, such as transportation and handling fees.
However, for customers who value convenience and are willing to pay a premium for it, Jumia’s door-to-door delivery service can be a useful option. On the other hand, more cost-sensitive customers can pick up their orders at a designated pickup station to save money.
10. Secure Online Payment
Jumia also simplifies online shopping in Uganda by offering secure payment options for its customers. The platform uses state-of-the-art 256-bit encryption, providing the same level of security as other top online stores worldwide.
Customers can make fast and secure payments during the checkout process using their debit or credit card or through Mobile Money (MTN and Airtel).
Jumia has also introduced an e-wallet called JumiaPay, which allows customers to connect their cards and bank accounts for easy and convenient payments.
Additionally, if a customer is unsatisfied with their order, they can cancel it and receive a full refund.
Generally, Jumia’s secure payment options give customers the peace of mind they need to shop online with confidence.
11. Order Products not available Locally
Are you planning to travel abroad to shop for items you believe are unavailable in Uganda? I advise you to try Jumia first. In 2019, Jumia launched a service called Jumia Global that enables customers to buy products from overseas merchants through the Jumia app/website.
It is similar to the relationship Jumia has with local merchants in Uganda, except that this time the merchants are based abroad, and they sell items that are not readily available in Uganda.
When shopping on Jumia Global, it’s important to note that the prices of the items include import duties, so you don’t have to worry about additional costs when the order arrives in Uganda. However, it’s also important to note that items purchased from Jumia Global merchants are not covered by warranty, and replacement parts may not be readily available in Uganda if you experience any issues with the product.
It’s also worth considering that it may take longer to receive your order placed through Jumia Global, as the merchants are shipping the products from abroad. Delivery could take anywhere from 4-8 weeks.
Despite these potential drawbacks, Jumia Global is a valuable service for those who may not be able to afford to travel abroad for shopping but still want access to a wide variety of products that may not be readily available in Uganda. To ensure you have a good experience with Jumia Global, check the reviews of the product and the seller rating of the merchant before making a purchase. You can identify Jumia Global products by their badge [Jumia Global badge] on the platform.
Also read; How to buy products on AliExpress and ship to Uganda
12. Amazing Prices and Deals
Jumia makes online shopping in Uganda easier, simpler and more convenient for consumers. One way it does this is by offering fantastic prices and deals on a wide range of products.
Prices on Jumia are often lower compared to those in brick-and-mortar stores, and the company frequently holds promotions and sales events such as Jumia Tech Week, Jumia Black Friday, and Payday deals, which offer discounts and coupons on a variety of products, including electronics, appliances, fashion, and beauty items.
These promotions are popular with Ugandan shoppers and help to make online shopping more affordable and accessible.
Jumia simplifies the process of online shopping in Uganda through its competitive pricing, promotions, and user-friendly product organization and search features.
Also read; How to Save Money While Shopping Online in Uganda
13. An Agent can place an order for you.
Another way Jumia simplifies the shopping experience is by allowing customers to have someone else place orders for them. This is useful for those who may not have a smartphone, data, or do not trust in their own ability to place an order online, or simply prefer to have someone else handle the process for them.
To facilitate this process, Jumia has a team of independent contractors called JForce. These agents are trained by Jumia and then market products available on the platform to potential buyers, who they help order online.
The JForce agents are paid by Jumia based on their monthly sales, so buyers do not need to pay them for their services. This means that even illiterate people can shop online through Jumia, which is particularly useful in a country like Uganda, where 76% of the population is illiterate.
When an agent places an order on behalf of a buyer, they use a pay-on-delivery system to ensure that sensitive banking information is not shared with the agent. The buyer receives the item and pays for it once it has been delivered. This system allows even those who may not have access to or be comfortable using traditional online payment methods to shop online through Jumia.
14. Free Data Access from MTN Uganda
The other way Jumia eases online shopping in Uganda is by offering free data access to its mobile app for MTN Uganda subscribers. This means that if you are an MTN Uganda subscriber, you can access the Jumia mobile app without using up any of your data bundle allowance.
However, it is essential to note that you will still need to have a valid data bundle to take advantage of this feature; the only thing is that accessing the Jumia Mobile app will not take away from your data.
Once you have a data bundle, you can use the Jumia mobile app as much as you like without worrying about consuming your data allowance. This is a convenient feature for those concerned about their data usage or who want to save their data for other activities.
Also read; 8 Problems with Online Shopping in Uganda and their Solutions
Conclusion
As demonstrated above, Jumia has put in place a range of measures to simplify the process of online shopping in Uganda and make it accessible to as many people as possible. From providing the option to have an agent place an order on your behalf to offering mobile money payments and cash on delivery, Jumia has covered virtually every aspect of online shopping to provide a comprehensive solution for all users.
If you have any challenges or concerns about shopping online, chances are that Jumia has already thought of a solution to address them. The platform is constantly seeking ways to improve the shopping experience for its customers and make it as convenient and seamless as possible.
One potential next step for Jumia and other online stores could be to offer customers the option to shop on credit or receive money to shop. However, this would depend on finding a solution to the identity management issues that have been a barrier to consumer credit financing in Uganda.
Also read; Top 16 Online Shopping Sites in Uganda 2023
Do you have any suggestions for how Jumia or other online stores could further improve the shopping experience for customers in Uganda? I would love to hear your thoughts.
