Ugandan media has reported that Kilimall, the Chinese-backed Kenyan online retailer founded in July 2014, has effectively ceased operations in Uganda. It continues to operate in Kenya and Nigeria.
Kilimall, the Chinese-backed Kenyan online retailer, has reportedly ceased operations in Uganda. The company started operations in Uganda in May 2016. Kilimall competes directly with Jumia, the e-commerce market leader in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda.
Dennis Nyunyuzi, one of Kilimall’s local partners in Uganda, has spoken to local media about how he and logistics partner Jay Cho (the Japanese owner of Pink Tie, Uganda’s leading online fulfillment provider) have failed to agree commercial terms with Kilimall’s Chinese owners to take over the Uganda franchise.
Kilimall’s site in Uganda is still operating. The shut down means that a customer ordering a product from a Ugandan vendor via Kilimall, may not receive it, although it is possible that orders from international vendors will still be delivered.
It also leaves Jumia with an estimated 80%+ market share of online retail in Uganda, although Kilimall had a tiny market share prior anyway, likely less than 5%. Pan African e-commerce platform Kikuu is now estimated to have around 15% in Uganda.
