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Nigerian maritime startup OnePort 365 secures $5m seed funding to digitise freight management across Africa

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A Nigerian maritime startup, OnePort 365, has secured a $5 million seed funding to drive end-to-end digitisation of freight management in Africa and support its expansion into new markets across the continent.

According to the CEO and founder of OnePort 365, Hio Sola-Usidame, the digital freight forwarding company makes it easier for importers and exporters to move their cargo to and from Nigeria to other parts of Africa.

“OnePort 365 has developed a freight forwarding platform that enables traders to efficiently and conveniently move cargo to, from and within Africa, providing complete transparency, visibility and control, minimizing cost inefficiencies and eliminating time and effort inefficiencies resulting from traditional supply chain management methods,” Sola-Usidame said.

“With active operations in Nigeria and Ghana, the startup is building an operating system for cross-border trade in Africa, and it has now raised a US$5 million seed round to support its efforts.

“We are super excited to have these investors onboard to support our mission to optimise cross-border trading across the continent.

“With new regulations like the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement creating the potential for a new era of trade on the continent, we want to make it easier for traders to maximise the opportunity.

“We believe managing freights should be as easy as booking a flight or ordering a ride-hailing service and we are building the operating system to make this possible,” the startup CEO said.

Takeshi Watanabe, CEO of Mobility 54 Investment SAS who facilitated the sec fund, said he was delighted to support the OnePort 365 team as it embarked on the journey of digitising the end-to-end freight management process in Africa.

“There is great potential to unlock significant commercial opportunities across the continent by addressing the longstanding challenges that have made it difficult to move freights into and around the continent, and we are confident that OnePort 365 has what it takes to succeed,” Watabnabe said.

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SA internet service provider Kaya Konekta launches data access for underserved communities

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South Africa’s leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), Kaya Konekta (KaKo), has launched new operations aimed at reaching underserved communities in the country.

The new service which the company says will revolutionise connectivity in the catchment areas comes with affordable and accessible internet services.

Founder and CEO of KaKo, Kagisho Dichabe, who praised the efforts of his team in a statement on Friday, said “KaKo aims to bridge the connectivity gap by providing reliable and affordable data, with a host of mobile and home broadband packages at below market rates.”

“For financial inclusion to be a reality, we need to connect the unconnected, and “Data Must Fall,” he said.

“We are dedicated to providing affordable, reliable internet services to underserved communities, empowering individuals and businesses for a better future.

“Data has become too expensive for people in our communities, especially in our townships,” Dichabe said.

He added that KaKo also aims to empower youth with accessible, high-speed internet, enabling them to access educational materials and online courses conveniently.

“This connectivity offers opportunities for knowledge expansion, higher education pursuits, and skill development,” he emphasized.

The startup’s CEO Thabiso Malekele, also noted that the company views the “internet as an essential tool, not a privilege, for unlocking potential, fostering learning, and connecting communities.”

“This belief fuels our passion to change and improve the lives of underserved and unconnected individuals.

“Our nation’s history compels us to actively champion this cause. While we strive to expand our reach like any ISP by deploying various technologies including fibre, LTE and 5G to different customers, we prioritise addressing the critical gaps in connectivity that leave many behind.

“At Kaya Konekta, we’re passionate about both customer service and the community.”

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Nigeria’s MAX partners Ghana’s Kofa in e-bike financing deal

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Nigeria’s electric vehicle solutions provider, MAX, has announced striking a partnership deal with Ghana’s innovator in energy networks, Kofa, that will see MAX offering financing options for over 2,000 revolutionary TailG Jidi bikes.

The bikes which are developed by Kofa in conjunction with TailG, a Chinese manufacturer, were launched in October last year and has been a big hit in the West African country.

A statement by MAX on Thursday, stated that the partnership marks a significant milestone in making green transportation more accessible in Africa.

“Max’s financing options for the motorbikes will enable more individuals and businesses to adopt eco-friendly transportation, aligning with both companies’ vision of a sustainable future,” it said.

“This collaboration between MAX and Kofa is a step towards a greener, more sustainable Africa.

“This partnership is poised to accelerate the transition to green energy and sustainable transportation in Africa,” the company said.

“The coming together of the two democratises access to vehicle ownership and electric mobility across Africa through a tech-driven platform that offers a spectrum of services, including subscription-based vehicle financing,cutting-edge electric vehicle options, and comprehensive support services.

“Kofa, meanwhile, is focused on creating affordable, sustainable, and customer-driven electricity networks, starting with electric motorcycles.

“The startup partnered TailG Group, a leading electric vehicle brand from China, to launch the Jidi electric motorcycle last October, and subsequently announced the planned launch of its second-generation Kore 2 Swap & Go network,” it added.

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