Jiji, Africa’s leading e-commerce platform by gross turnover, is set to launch its online classified ads-based marketplace in Bangladesh, potentially this week. The company plans to build a strong local team in the country and expand its operations across Asia in the near future.
With its successful model offering premium classified ad packages for sellers, Jiji has become a market leader in several African regions, with a combined population of 400 million. It currently boasts over 12 million monthly active users in Africa, who purchase from around 200,000 business sellers. The company has also successfully outperformed and acquired OLX and Cars45 in Africa, as well as Tonaton in Ghana.
Headquartered in Warsaw, Jiji employs over 1,000 people and has offices in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Warsaw, Dubai, and Kyiv. The company aims to replicate its African success in Bangladesh, a rapidly growing market with a dynamic economy, increasing digital adoption, and a burgeoning middle class.
Jiji does not own inventory or manage logistics but instead connects sellers with price-sensitive buyers through its classified ads platform. The company is poised to invest millions of dollars into Bangladesh’s e-commerce market, aiming to capture significant market share and establish leadership in the classified ads segment.
“We see Bangladesh as a tremendous long-term growth opportunity with similarities to the markets we’ve successfully entered in Africa,” said Jiji Co-founder and CEO Anton Volianskyi. “We aim to offer a safe, convenient, and reliable marketplace for buying and selling goods and services.”
Jiji’s international expansion strategy includes further penetration into two or three additional Asian markets over the next 1-2 years. Despite existing competition in Bangladesh, including platforms like Bikroy, Bproperty, and ekhanei, Volianskyi believes Jiji’s unique classified marketplace model presents significant untapped potential.
In Africa, Jiji leads the market with over 7 million active ads across various categories such as vehicles and property. With 70% of Bangladesh’s population still untapped, the local e-commerce market is expected to grow to over $12 billion by 2029, driven by a young, tech-savvy population and rapid digital adoption.
“Classified platforms are ideal for emerging economies where value-conscious consumers prefer direct transactions,” added Jiji.
Jiji’s entrance into the Bangladesh market marks a pivotal step in its aggressive international growth strategy, positioning the company for success in both local and regional markets.
