OLX Kenya Acquired By Nigeria’s E-Commerce Platform Jiji

While a majority of Africans remain reluctant to embrace the idea of online shopping, the e-commerce market continues to record growth but at a slow pace. Despite the technology advancing, most of people still choose to shop the traditional way.

Selling online in Africa is not a walk in the park, it requires a lot of patience. Most Africans are apprehensive to make an online purchase due to fraud and delivery difficulties. This somehow explains why global e-commerce platforms like Amazon have been reluctant to do business in the continent.

For Africa’s leading e-commerce platform Jumia, it is a tussle as the giant e-commerce platform is struggling to redeem its name following fraudulent allegations that could have huge impacts on its market performance.

And most recently, Kenya’s popular e-commerce platform OLX has had quite a tussle striving to survive and its now clear that its rosy days are over. The online shopping site has over time gained prominence and acceptance despite being marred by isolated cases of fraud.

OLX Kenya has entered into a partnership with Walie Holdings Ltd to become Jijike.ke. Walie is the parent company that runs Jiji.ke.

This move was arrived as the company attempts to improve its customers buyer and seller experience.

OLX, previously owned by Naspers, sent an email to its users apprising them of the new changes. Following this latest development, OLX users in Kenya will be served by Jiji. The new move gives the Nigerian company a footprint in the East African market’s of Kenya as well as those of Uganda and Tanzania.

Jiji and OLX had earlier announced that they have both reached an agreement under which Jiji will acquire OLX businesses in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, pending regulatory approvals.

The new changes are expected to take effect as from June 20, 2019. It is then when all OLX users in these countries will be redirected to Jiji. The acquisition means the Nigerian platform will now be able to access 300 million people across five markets including Nigeria. The expansion also means that OLX users in these countries will benefit from Jiji’s products and services.

“When you come to our website, it will redirect you to Jiji.ke, but you will still be able to sign in and continue using your existing account there without having to create a new one,” reads part of the email to existing customers.

Reportedly, OLX have already transferred account details such as personal information and active adverts to Walie.

“Please note that if you continue using your existing account from 20 June 2019, the Privacy Policy of Walie Holdings Ltd. will govern the use of your private information,” read a part of the mail.

OLX closed shops in Kenya early 2018 following 40 percent drop in online prime transactions.The online shopping site said Kenya’s prolonged electioneering period is the reason they opted to exit the Kenyan market.

Featured Image Courtesy: OLX Group