Twiga Meals hires Jumia’s Charles Ballard as new CEO

4 months after the abrupt resignation of founder and CEO Peter Njonjo, Twiga Foods has employed Jumia Kenya’s Charles Ballard as its new CEO.

Ballard is becoming a member of Twiga from e-commerce large Jumia the place he has been the chief govt since April 2023. He joined Jumia in 2019, first as head of efficiency and planning earlier than rising to chief working officer in 2021. 

Njonjo’s exit, which many thought of as him being pressured out by traders, capped a tumultuous yr for Twiga, a B2B e-commerce startup based in 2014. He additionally resigned from the corporate’s board, handing management to traders who’ve injected greater than $150 million in debt and fairness since 2017.

Different operational issues like delayed funds to suppliers and staff, layoffs, and a authorized dispute over a $450,000 cloud invoice which was ultimately settled out of courtroom at the moment are within the firm’s rearview.

It’ll hope Ballard’s appointment shall be a breath of contemporary air.

“With a profession spanning over 15 years, of which 9 years within the Kenyan market, Ballard brings a wealth of expertise in e-commerce, retail, and monetary companies. Most lately, Ballard was CEO of Jumia Kenya, a number one e-commerce firm, the place he led the transformation of the enterprise towards profitability,” Twiga mentioned in an announcement.

“We’re delighted to welcome Charles as our new Chief Govt. His deep understanding of the Kenyan e-commerce and retail panorama, his confirmed operational grip, his entrepreneurial drive, and his ardour for the Twiga Meals alternative make him the best chief to steer Twiga into its subsequent section of development and success,” mentioned Hein Pretorius, Twiga board chairman.