Jumia told the SEC that AI-driven automation enabled a cut in its headcount, and that at least 200 more jobs would go

Jumia, the African e-commerce group, said in its first-quarter results on 7 May 2026 that "AI-driven automation across each of our operations, finance, headcount efficiency, support functions, and technology teams - including in relation to cybersecurity and code quality workflows - enabled a reduction in our headcount" during the quarter. The same release, filed with the SEC, looked ahead: "We are actively working to further reduce headcount, continue process automation and leverage AI tools. We expect to reduce by at least an additional 200 full-time employees over the next two quarters." The company had just over 1,980 people on payroll at the end of March, against 4,318 at the end of 2022 when its current leadership took over. On the earnings call it said that in customer service AI "enables faster resolution with fewer agents". Most AI job cuts on record are at American software and finance companies. This one is a retailer operating across several African markets, saying the same thing in a filing.