According to Tech Crunch, Internet giant Google announced today that it has made the first undisclosed investment from its Africa Investment Fund in Ugandan super app SafeBoda.
Before launching the fund, Google proved helpful in startups’ journeys via its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program.
With road accidents set to match HIV/AIDS as the highest cause of death in low/middle income countries by 2030, SafeBoda’s aim is to modernise informal transportation and ensure safe access to mobility.
Ricky Rapa Thomson, one of the co-founders told Techcity:
“SafeBoda welcomes Google to their community and are excited to continue to drive innovation in informal transportation and payments in the boda boda (motorcycle taxi driver in East Africa) or okada (West Africa) industry. As a former boda driver in Kampala, I know that we are the lifeblood of Africa’s cities and we power economic development. SafeBoda is thrilled that leading global companies such as Google see the importance of backing start-ups working towards these goals.”
Nitin Gajria, Managing Director for Google in Africa added:
“I am thrilled about our first investment from the $50M Africa Investment Fund that we announced two months ago . This is part of our ongoing commitment to tech startups in Africa. I am of the firm belief that no one is better placed to solve Africa’s biggest problems than Africa’s young developers and entrepreneurs. We look forward to announcing subsequent investments in other startups.”
