[Transcript] #41: SafeBoda - How the Ugandan motorbike hailing platform is delivering mobility services across Africa
Episode recorded October 31 2021
Hello! Bankole here.
It was a different time when we talked about Safeboda, the African ride sharing startup. They had just completed 1 million rides in Ibadan, and according to TechCrunch, they were in the lead to drag Africa’s two-wheelers into a digital future. They went against the grain by launching in Ibadan, a Tier 2 city, and staying away from the crowded Lagos market.
It appears the prize was not worth winning. Despite completing 3 million trips and sowing the seeds of a super app, Safeboda left Nigeria in 2022. The company has decided to focus on its home market, especially given the current funding environment.
I’m hopeful ridesharing in Africa works. It provides valuable employment and fills the void created by unreliable public transit. However, ridesharing remains a challenging business model. Uber’s recent success and profitability have come from diversifying to food delivery and a sharp increase in prices. From Jumia Food to Lyft and more, these gig economy startups are still struggling.
You can listen to the episode here. Paid subscribers can find the transcript below.
Bankole.
[00:00:00] Olumide Ogunsanwo: Welcome to Afrobility, a conversation about African business and technology. Today, we're going to talk about SafeBoda, the Ugandan motorbike hailing platform. We'll explore the SafeBoda story across seven different areas, Moja, motorbike hailing platforms, and other emerging markets, Bili, African mobility context, Tatsu, SafeBoda's founding early history, Ne, funding and Early Growth, Tano, its products and monetization strategy, Sita, its competitive position and potential exit options, and then Saba will end with our overall views on its outlook.
This episode was recorded on October 31st, 2021. Bakanda Mukundo, how goes it?
Yeah, I like it. That sounds very East African. Yeah, just
[00:00:43] Bankole Makanju: keep your head down, Olumide. What
[00:00:45] Olumide Ogunsanwo: language was that? That actually was Swahili. Okay. What are we talking about today? This was a confusing
[00:00:52] Bankole Makanju: intro to ride. SafeBoda is a transportation platform for motorcycles. Heavy, okay. But then it's like, well, that's not what the investors think.
Right. SafeBoda is a super app that does transportation ride sharing platform. Okay.