The Jumia-Konga Wars

Who wins?

Hey there,

Trust you are having the best of the week.

If you've ever ordered anything online in Nigeria, you've likely found yourself choosing between two giants: Jumia or Konga. These are the twin pillars that have essentially shaped how millions of Nigerians shop online. They both helped us avoid crowded markets and made shopping with just convenient clicks from the comfort of our homes, possible for our generation.

I'll admit, I've been team Jumia for years, mainly because their website just felt more intuitive when I started shopping online in 2016. But I know plenty of people who swear by Konga's customer service and delivery speed.

Perhaps you're firmly in one camp, or maybe you're like many Nigerians who strategically switch between both depending on deals and delivery times and of course, prices. Either way, these two platforms have become so embedded in our digital lives that it's hard to imagine Nigerian e-commerce without them.

But here's what's fascinating about this sibling rivalry. Just as we've seen with other famous African rivalries, from Dangote vs. BUA in cement and sugar (wait for it next week) to GTBank vs. Access Bank in banking, competition breeds excellence. Naturally, or rather, when managed well. It forces innovation, drives down prices and ultimately benefits consumers. The Jumia-Konga feud perfectly embodies this phenomenon, but with stakes that extend far beyond Nigeria's borders.

What most people don't realize is how deeply personal and dramatic this rivalry actually became. Behind the polished websites and slick marketing campaigns lies a story that's part business strategy, part cultural clash and part pure human drama.

There were silly even comical domain name wars that would make you laugh and cringe. There were almost-mergers that fell apart over handshakes, or the lack thereof. There were moments when the future of African e-commerce hung in the balance, decided by personality clashes and strategic miscalculations.

Our latest feature is the story of how two companies, launched within months of each other in 2012, ended up shaping not just Nigeria's digital commerce landscape. It's a story of German efficiency meeting Nigerian entrepreneurship, of global ambitions colliding with local wisdom and of how sometimes the most transformative changes come from the most unlikely conflicts.

I invite you to read the story of the Jumia-Konga Wars.

But first, we’d like to know who you are rooting for:

Based on your experience shopping with them, which of the two do you root for?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Josh

On behalf of The SimpVest Team.

Jumia Vs Konga Rivalry: How It Started And How It Is Going

The Jumia Vs Konga rivalry has been comical, even brutal and entertaining but ultimately transformative. 

This is the story of two companies that emerged within months of each other, only to engage in a decade-long struggle that would ultimately shape the trajectory of online retail across Nigeria and Africa.

5 Things to Consider When Choosing A Business Structure

One of the first and most critical decisions you’ll make ahead of starting your business, is choosing a business structure. Your choice will impact everything from taxes and liability to fundraising and day-to-day operations.

This guide explores the main business structures in the US, UK, and Canada and sets out 5 key considerations framed as questions, to help you make an informed decision.

While intended for expats and immigrants looking to start a business as immigrants, it also applies to everyone looking to start a business everywhere.

Till Saturday,

If you loved what you read, be sure to forward it to a friend. If you have any thoughts, you can leave us a comment by replying to this mail. We would love to hear back from you.