Jumia Enters Partnership With Watu Credit

E-commerce company Jumia enters partnership with Watu Credit to help more Kenyans own smartphones without paying the full price upfront. With this new deal, customers can now buy smartphones on Jumia and pay in flexible daily, weekly, or monthly installments through mobile money platforms. This makes it easier for many people to get better phones that fit their budgets.

Although about 80 percent of Kenyans already have smartphones, many still use low-quality devices. Jumia’s partnership with Watu Credit targets this issue by financing premium brands like Samsung. This helps both first-time buyers and current users upgrade to reliable, high-quality phones. These devices have become very important for business activities, learning, health care access, and staying connected with others.

Erick Massawe, the Country Manager at Watu Credit, explained the importance of affordable smartphones today. He said, “Access to affordable smartphones is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.” He added that their financing system allows customers to pay little by little while building their credit history. This opens doors for people to grow their income and develop digital skills.

Jumia Enters Partnership With Watu Credit

Watu Credit uses smart technology to make sure lending is responsible. Their system applies IoT-based locking software on the phones, which means the devices stay active only when payments are being made. If payments stop, the phone is locked. Since 2022, Watu Credit has financed almost two million devices across Kenya, showing their model works well in the market.

Vinod Goel, the East Africa Regional CEO of Jumia, shared how this partnership fits into Jumia’s goals. He stated, “Smartphones are among our top-selling products. By partnering with Watu, we can expand access to connected devices, making it easier for Kenyans to participate in the digital economy.” He also mentioned that Jumia plans to make the buying and financing process completely online soon, making it even more convenient for customers.

To start, Jumia’s local agents will help customers use the financing option during this first phase. Soon after, consumers will be able to access the program directly online. Customers will pick their devices at checkout, complete digital know your customer (KYC) checks, and have their phones delivered right to their homes.

This partnership goes beyond just selling phones. It is a step toward digital inclusion for many Kenyans. Small business owners, delivery workers, students, and families can now get better technology that helps improve their earnings, education, and ability to stay in touch with others. Combining Jumia’s wide online marketplace with Watu Credit’s trusted financing model, this buy-now-pay-later program turns smartphones into tools for real economic and social growth.

Overall, Jumia’s partnership with Watu Credit is a big move to make premium smartphones affordable and accessible in Kenya. By allowing flexible payments and using smart lending technology, more Kenyans will have the chance to own reliable devices that matter in today’s connected world. This collaboration shows how e-commerce can work together with financial technology to bring positive change and opportunities to communities across the country.

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