Tech

SA mobility startup LULA acquires UK-based Zeelo’s operations

Published

4 months ago

July 26, 2024

South Africa’s mobility startup, LULA, has announced the acquisition of the operations of UK-based Zeelo in a move that will see it scale up significantly.

LULA, which was founded in 2016 by the duo of Xabiso Nodada and Velani Mboweni, is a tech-enabled ride-sharing solution that enables people to be collected from their homes and taken to work and back again safely and reliably.

Zeelo, on the other hand, is a smart bus platform for organisations with similar operations to LULA in that it provides flexible turn-key and plug-in transportation programs for commuting and school runs.

According to Nodada, the deal will see Zeelo’s South African operations transition to LULA’s solution.

“Over the last five years, LULA has consistently maintained a year-on-year growth of between 2.5x and 4x, despite interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a global recession,” he said in a statement

“The acquisition will mean an increase in customers, vehicles and operating partners, and staff to strengthen and scale LULA’s business in South Africa, as well as into other African markets.

“Significantly, the acquisition of Zeelo‘s operations in South Africa means that LULA becomes a profitable business, with enough breathing room to scale smart, rather than scale fast,” Nodada added.

Also commenting on the deal,
Sam Ryan, founder and CEO of Zeelo said with the conclusion of the deal, the company is now directing its focus toward further expansion in the UK, Ireland, and North America.

“It has been a remarkable journey and we are grateful to our team, clients and suppliers for giving us the opportunity to serve them.

“Whilst the decision to exit the region was a challenging one, we are excited to support the transition of our customers and suppliers to the LULA platform and look forward to witnessing LULA’s future successes in tackling the transportation challenges in South Africa.“

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

5 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

1 day 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.