Tech

Nigerian mobility startup, Treepz, launches operations in Kenya after Ghana, Uganda

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2023

Nigerian-based mobility startup, Treepz, has launched its diverse car-renting options into the Kenyan market after successfully expanding into Ghana and Uganda last year, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

The mobility startup which has won several awards in the industry in Nigeria, will be operating in the eastern African country under “Treepz Kenya”, with the hopes of extending its services into other East African countries.

The Kenyan arm of Treepz will be run by Samar Patel, a former employee of SWVL, a top player in Kenyan mobility sphere, where he was Head of Transport-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service. Patel will be Treepz Kenya’s Country Manager.

“We are building Treepz to make vehicle rental as easy as clicking a button. Treepz is also budget-friendly, with a wide selection of vehicles at competitive prices,” Patel said while introducing the company to the media and stakeholders.

“With the kickstart of Treepz in Kenya, we have already signed contracts with some high-profile companies including Twiga Foods, Abacus Schools, OAK House School, and Diamond Trust Bank under the Business Treepz package,” Patel said.

Founded in 2019, the ride-hailing startup raised $1.2 million over the last 12 months, part of which has been used in its expansion into Kenya, and through its platform, customers can rent buses, SUVs, and trucks at friendly prices.

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

16 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.