Jumia and MTN Partner to Give Free Internet On Their App

We have often heard that 'there is no such thing as a free lunch'. Ironically, we were also advised that 'The best things in life are free'. Quite opposite statements! Count on Jumia, the leading online shopping destination in Africa, to make the second saying a reality with its latest initiative developed in collaboration with telecom mogul MTN. We are of course talking about the JumiaZero Data App!

This latest initiative aims at further reducing data costs which are the greatest barrier so far to extending internet mobile access in Nigeria. Indeed in Lagos alone, one gigabyte of data on mobile networks—the only means of accessing the internet for most—is not less N1,000. With this in mind, Jumia’s Zero Data App will offer full access to online shopping through its app for free, meaning it will not charge the users of the MTN mobile network for the data they consume while using the Jumia app.The initiative is the biggest so far in terms of democratizing access to internet in Nigeria and will directly impact the 140 million smartphones users Nigeria withholds and the 70% of users who are already accessing Jumia through their phone.

“In order to provide the best customer experience, it is time for Jumia to make its services available for more people, anywhere at any given time », declared Nicolas Martin, CEO JumiaAfrica. “We are proud of this new partnership with MTN that will undoubtedly lead to an increasing value for our customers. We believe that a better internet access, and even more mobile, will foster economic development for both small businesses and Nigeria as a whole », further commented Nicolas Martin.

All through the year, starting today the Jumia app is free to download and surf on with over 150,000 products waiting to be selected. Android, Blackberry, and iOS smartphones can now browse the Jumia website via the Jumia mobile app with absolutely no data charges. Other sites available through the app include Jovago, Africa’s leading hotel booking online platform and Kaymu, #1 online shopping community in Africa. The free Jumia app is your one-stop opportunity that provides you with an easy pathway to Nigeria’s best shopping destination so hurry now; obtain a MTN sim card if you don’t have one. Download the Jumia App on your phone using your MTN line or send JUMAPP to 131 as SMS from your MTN line and the link will be sent to your phone.

It is great to see big companies try to offer value to their customers and that is why we say kudos to Jumia for this initiative, but again, it is a marketing strategy that Jumia hopes will yield enormous results.

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