E-Business
Building Strategic Partnerships in E-commerce: Collaboration for Growth

Strategic partnerships form an integral part of businesses today — and with good reason. Their importance has become more than just a wise business move but a necessity for sustainable growth. As aptly described by the age-old adage, “Two heads are better than one,” the concept underscores the profound significance of collaboration, especially in the realm of e-commerce.
At its core, building strategic partnerships provides companies with leeway to leverage the complementary capabilities of like-minded institutions — granting small, medium, and large organisations alike the access they need to expand to new markets, harness avant-garde infrastructure to meet overarching goals and targets, as well as a safety net to reduce risks. In the vast landscape of e-commerce, where competition is fierce and consumer expectations continue to evolve, success is not just about having a great product or a sleek website anymore. It is about forging strategic partnerships that amplify strengths, drive sustainable growth, and address consumers’ needs. The digital realm is evolving at breakneck speed, and in this ever-changing landscape, collaboration emerges as the linchpin for success.
A recent study conducted by IBM’s Institute for Business Value revealed that 54% of executives view strategic partnerships as critical for their organisation’s digital transformation efforts. In addition, a report by Kearney, a global consulting firm, highlights that well-executed strategic partnerships can create sustained value for both brands and consumers.
As these statistics highlight the impact of strategic partnerships: How can E-Commerce platforms leverage collaborative initiatives to meet evolving consumer needs?
Collaborations to broaden the E-Commerce Ecosystem
Take the case of Jumia Nigeria, the leading pan-African e-commerce platform. Since its inception, Jumia has been at the forefront of innovation, continuously striving to enhance the shopping experience for millions of customers across Nigeria. Yet, in an industry marked by rapid evolution and ever-changing consumer preferences, staying ahead requires more than just ingenuity – it demands collaboration.
In recent years, Jumia Nigeria has embarked on a journey of strategic partnerships, forging alliances with a diverse array of stakeholders ranging from local businesses to global brands. These partnerships have not only expanded Jumia’s product offerings but have also enriched its ecosystem, offering customers unparalleled choice and convenience. A good reference point is its partnership with leading manufacturers and brands like Adidas, Infinix, Oraimo, Binatone, Haier Thermocool, Diageo, and Nivea. These brands have official stores on Jumia where consumers can get easy access to their favourite products, and the brands offer special promotions to reward their consumer base for their loyalty.
Another strategic move by the company to further enhance customer satisfaction is its partnership with Mastercard and Providus Bank to introduce the Jumia Mastercard, an innovative payment card that elevates the shopping experience of its customers. Through this partnership, the company introduced a customer reward system which will serve to multiply purchasing power and foster lasting customer loyalty on Jumia’s platform throughout the year. With these partnerships, Jumia provides customers with access to the latest products while enabling the company to expand its market presence and attract new customers.
In another thoughtful partnership, the company partnered with Starlink to deliver Starlink’s satellite terminals and kits in Nigeria and Kenya, deepening broadband connectivity in African communities. Through this partnership, Starlink was able to harness Jumia’s elaborate delivery network to expand its reach in Africa.
Companies such as Jumia understand that building strategic partnerships is not just about the numbers; it is about creating a powerful ecosystem of collaboration that fuels mutual growth and customer satisfaction. When done right, partnerships forged will transform the e-commerce landscape and empower customers. Together, companies can rewrite the rules of success and create a future where strategic partnership can be a cornerstone for business growth.
E-Business
Amazon CEO Says AI will Reduce Number of Workers Needed

Amazon’s management on Wednesday said that it expects that artificial intelligence software will reduce the number of office workers at the world’s largest online retailer.

Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon
“We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today and more people doing other types of jobs,” Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon wrote in an email to employees.
He said it was difficult to predict how the overall workforce will evolve, but in the next few years, it is expected that AI efficiency gains will lead to a reduction in the number of office workers.
According to earlier reports, Amazon employed around 1.5 million people worldwide, with approximately 350,000 office employees in various roles.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the company does not anticipate further large-scale layoffs, as seen in 2022 and 2023, in the near future.
Instead, it expects that vacant positions will not be refilled.
However, layoffs are not ruled out, according to sources familiar with the matter.
“Amazon is focusing on so-called AI agents, software capable of independently performing tasks. These agents could, for example, summarise information from the web and data sources, write software, translate languages and automate many time-consuming tasks,” Mr Jassy explained.
“Agents will be teammates that we can call on at various stages of our work,” he added, urging employees to experiment with AI whenever possible.
The impact of AI on the job market has been a concern for many years.
Recently, Spotify, the leader in music streaming, announced that teams requesting additional staff would first need to prove that AI could not perform the tasks.
The creators of the language-learning app Duolingo plan to gradually replace external workers with AI.
E-Business
BPP Partners NDPC to Strengthen Data Protection

Dr Adebowale Adedokun, director-general, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to data protection in Nigeria.
He disclosed this in a statement at the weekend by Zira Nagga, head of Public Relations, BPP, following a courtesy visit by a delegation from the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Adedokun stressed that data protection is vital to Nigeria’s economy and development, particularly in areas such as demography, health, education, and other key sectors.
He emphasised that no country should leave its data unprotected, as it plays a crucial role in future planning and national development.
“Data governs the world. It is essential to technological progress and must be protected for a country or business to be taken seriously,” he said.
Adedokun described the visit, aimed at fostering partnership on data policy implementation and protection, as timely and aligned with national goals.
He said the BPP would collaborate closely with the NDPC to boost data development, capacity building, and enhance the procurement system.
“The BPP will support compliance as part of the ‘Nigeria First’ Policy, although it is not a core procurement eligibility requirement,” he explained.
He suggested a hybrid training model to help build strong capacity in data protection, privacy awareness, and policy understanding.
According to him, a dynamic training approach will reduce logistics costs and improve public confidence in data safety and privacy.
Dr Vincent Olatunji, CEO, and national commissioner, NDPC, praised Adedokun and the BPP for supporting data protection initiatives.
He said the partnership supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision and will strengthen data privacy across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“The collaboration will create awareness and train BPP staff to ensure a firm grasp of data protection principles and policies,” he stated.
Olatunji said the NDPC would establish a working group to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding beneficial to both institutions.
He added that President Tinubu signed the NDPC into law on 12 June 2023 to uphold citizens’ rights and protect national and business data.
Olatunji also noted that strict legal measures were in place to enforce data protection and ensure full compliance nationwide.
Both agencies agreed to form a team to sign the MoU and focus on capacity building and data management in procurement and beyond.
E-Business
FG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps

President Bola Tinubu said that his administration has initiated a project to install fibre optic cables across the country, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of Nigeria.
His plans were contained in a speech he delivered at a joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12.
He said the fibre optic layout is part of other projects being embarked on.
“In addition, we have embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation, a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity.
“This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected,” Tinubu stated.
He maintained that by extending this critical infrastructure, his government is empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world.
In a most recent report on Internet connectivity, The ICIR pointed out how Nigeria has faced setbacks in its deployment of fibre optic cables and needs a transformation.
The challenges revolve around vandalism, inadequate coordination between road construction and telecom infrastructure, and varying right-of-way (RoW) charges across states.
Among industry experts, these issues impact network outages, increase repair costs, and hinder broadband expansion efforts.
It has also further threatened the digital economy, leading to slower Internet speeds, dropped calls, and unreliable connectivity among others.
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