Pan-African e-commerce platform, Jumia, has donated more than 2,000 motorcycle helmets to its delivery associates, popularly called riders, as part of its safe and affordable helmet programme in Nigeria.
The initiative aims at providing high-quality helmets meeting United Nations Regulation in territories where accessibility and affordability could be difficult and help reduce the number of global motorcycle-related fatalities.
Chief Executive Officer for Jumia Nigeria, Massimiliano Spalazzi, said the safety of riders remained top priority for the organisation, expressing the hope that the donation would increase peace of mind both for riders and their families.
“Wearing UN certified safe helmets is essential in protecting our heroes from the hazards that are associated with their jobs. We are delighted, therefore, to provide compliant, high-quality, and safe helmets to our riders and hope this initiative will prevent unnecessary road crash injuries and fatalities,” he said.
The Jumai helmets are designed to meet the UN safety standards, as certified by independent experts while also ensuring they are best priced in the market.
Adetunji Lanase, country manager, Jumia Services, said riders were important brand ambassadors given that they deliver products to consumers across the country.
“Beyond delivering Jumia items to our consumers, we want our riders to be well-assured they are protected,” he said.
Obaji Ismail Halid, delivery associate for Jumia Nigeria expressed happiness of the project saying: “We know the nature of our job so these helmets can provide adequate protection as we go about delivering to consumers in Nigeria. The helmets are of good quality and suitable to the Nigerian climate.”
The helmets, which are suitable for hot and humid climates, is to be distributed to riders free of charge in support of Jumia’s mission to enhance the well-being of its workers and partners and to continually seek innovative ways to improve the workplace ecosystem.