Startup Lounge: COVID-19 impacted positively on growth of digital services – Hesham Safwat

Startup Lounge: COVID-19 impacted positively on growth of digital services – Hesham Safwat

The economy of any country mainly depends on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as they acquire a key share in creating job opportunities and economic development. Online retail or e-commerce has empowered businesses in Egypt over the recent years, and one of the leading e-shopping platforms in the Egyptian market is Jumia. For a month like November, described as the Black Friday season, consumers in Egypt spend a sum of money to benefit from discounts and offers, whether on local or international products. In an interview with Mubasher, is our guest in the Startup Lounge to talk about the pandemic impact on Jumia’s business and consumer behaviour, as well as the company’s initiatives, investments, and role in endorsing SMEs. Safwat also mentioned how the Black Friday season boosts Jumia’s sales, and how he sees the future of offline retailing business in Egypt, and finally, the four factors he believes they contribute to a successful e-commerce business in the Egyptian market. Jumia believes that the economy of any country depends mainly on SMEs since they are important contributors to job creation and countries’ economic development. Therefore, Jumia was one of the first companies that launched an online initiative to encourage local