The bitter aftertaste of Jumia Food’s shutdown left gig workers stranded

TechGyant explores a Rest of World report on the harsh realities faced by hundreds of drivers across Africa stranded in the aftermath of Jumia Food’s sudden shutdown.

In the fast-paced world of Africa’s gig economy, the promise of flexible employment and additional income streams has driven the sector’s rapid growth and innovation. However, a recent report by the Rest of World has pulled back the curtain on the nature of this digital workforce, revealing the vulnerabilities and lack of protections for workers at the frontlines.

In December 2023, Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce giant, discontinued its food delivery operations in Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Uganda. The move left hundreds of gig drivers stranded and faced with financial hardship, locked out of the app with no official communication or warning, and unable to retrieve their hard-earned earnings and livelihoods hanging in the balance.

Three months later, many former Jumia Food drivers struggle to make ends meet.

Voices from the Frontlines

Rest of World’s report told the story of the human toll on those stranded in the wake of Jumia Food’s sudden departure. James Murimbi, a driver based in Kenya, spent weeks trying in vain to recover the equivalent of $35 in earnings from his final week on the job – a meagre sum that could have helped him buy food during his time of need.

“To date, I have not received my money,” Murimbi told Rest of World. “That small amount would have helped to at least buy food. From the time the company closed, I am still struggling.”

Fellow drivers across the region echo Murimbi’s plight, each grappling with the harsh consequences of this abrupt disruption. In Nairobi, Robert, a former Jumia Food worker, was jobless after two years on the platform. His efforts and loyalty were rendered meaningless overnight. “My two years of working with the app went down the drain,” he lamented, citing the lack of savings and oversaturation of drivers on competing platforms like Glovo.

The report also highlights the experiences of students like Johnson Emmanuel and Israel Oloba in Nigeria, who had joined Jumia Food just months before the shutdown, lured by promises of good earnings. Instead, they found themselves out of work and unable to retrieve their final paychecks. “Lots of us never got our final payment,” Emmanuel shared, underscoring the financial strain endured in the aftermath.

Oloba’s frustration was evident: “I sweated and wasted all my energy and effort riding a bike for nothing.”

A Wake-up Call for Worker Protection

This story has amplified calls for better regulations and worker protections within Africa’s booming gig economy, a sector often praised for its innovative disruption but lacking safeguards for its frontline workforce.

Uche Okafor, a former regional manager at Bolt, acknowledged the inherent instability of gig work, where “workers can face sudden job losses,” but also pointed to the wealth of opportunities offered by the booming delivery and logistics sector. It’s a double-edged sword that demands a delicate balance.

Angela Chukunzira, a Kenyan labour rights activist interviewed by Rest of World, views this as a catalyst for unions to push for modernised frameworks that address globalised labour challenges. “This is an opportunity to re-create, re-define, and even modernise worker unions,” she stated, calling for a reckoning that prioritises the rights and well-being of those powering Africa’s digital economy.

As Africa’s tech ecosystem evolves, the plight of these former Jumia Food drivers serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency, worker protection, and robust regulations in the gig economy. The human cost particularly called for the urgent need for a more equitable and sustainable framework that safeguards the livelihoods of those fueling the sector’s growth.