The urban mobility landscape in Africa is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by technological innovation and strategic investments. At the heart of this dynamic, the recent announcement of funding for the Kenyan startup BuuPass by Yango Ventures, the investment arm of global ride-hailing giant Yango Group, marks a significant turning point for the continent’s transportation sector. Although the investment amount was not disclosed, this operation highlights the growing interest of major players in African digital solutions.
BuuPass: Revolutionizing Transport Ticketing in Africa
Founded in 2016 by Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass has quickly established itself as a key player in the digitization of transport in East Africa. Its B2B2C (Business-to-Business-to-Consumer) platform offers a comprehensive solution allowing users to search, compare, and book bus and flight tickets through various channels: web, mobile application, and even USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data), a crucial technology in regions with limited internet access.
But BuuPass doesn’t just simplify life for travelers. The company also provides SaaS (Software as a Service) tools to bus operators, enabling them to manage their operations and inventory more efficiently. This dual approach, targeting both consumers and transport professionals, offers scalability and infrastructure depth that attract investors.
To date, BuuPass’s impact has been substantial: over 16 million tickets sold and a gross merchandise value exceeding $100 million. The company has already proven its ability to raise funds, with $1.3 million in pre-seed funding in 2023, and has even expanded its geographical reach through the acquisition of the South African company QuickBus. Its recognition by programs like Google for Startups Accelerator Africa and the Black Founders Fund underscores its growth potential.
Yango Ventures: A New Strategic Player on the African Chessboard
The investment in BuuPass is particularly noteworthy as it is Yango Ventures’ first disclosed operation on the African continent. Launched in April 2025 with a $20 million fund, Yango Ventures aims to support early-stage African startups, as part of a broader strategy by Yango Group to develop a robust local ecosystem.
This collaboration goes beyond a simple capital injection. It symbolizes an evolution in investor behavior, moving away from passive capital towards active partnerships. By teaming up with BuuPass, Yango can not only diversify its portfolio but also align its regional expansion goals with a company that already understands the local landscape and meets a growing demand for digitized public transport systems.
The Future of Mobility in Africa: Digitization and Strategic Partnerships
Africa is a continent where fragmented transport systems and the predominance of cash transactions still represent major challenges. The agreement between BuuPass and Yango Ventures therefore comes at a time of high demand for solutions that streamline urban and interurban mobility.
The strategic capital provided by Yango, combined with its operational expertise in global mobility, could significantly accelerate BuuPass’s growth into new markets. This is a striking example of how partnerships between innovative local players and global investors can shape the future of mobility and logistics on the African continent.
This partnership not only marks a success for BuuPass and Yango but also sends a strong signal to the African entrepreneurial ecosystem: local innovation is recognized, and the potential for transformation is immense. As African cities continue to grow, the digitization of transport will be a cornerstone of their development.
What do you think about the impact of such partnerships on the transformation of transport in Africa? What other innovations do you believe could revolutionize urban mobility on the continent?
