Nigeria is set to be the third market for Cairo-based transportation startup Swvl following its confirmation of plans to expand to Africa’s largest economy.
When it goes live, Swvl will be competing with online players such as Uber and Gokada, and multi-billion naira transport companies including ABC and Peace Mass Transit.
The startup is already seeking to appoint a Country General Manager for Nigeria even as it plans to launch in Lagos by mid-July. According to Egyptian media reports, Swvl will be launching in Lagos with 50 buses.
Prior to its expansion to Nigeria, the startup was already operating in Egypt and Kenya. It was also rumored to be expanding to Uganda although this was not confirmed by the company.
The Nigeria launch is in line with the startup’s plans to be operating in seven megacities by the end of 2019 in Southeast Asia and Africa.
The startup was launched in 2017 by Mostafa Kandil and Mahmoud Nouh. The company connects commuters with private buses, allowing them to reserve seats on these buses and pay the fare through company’s mobile app.
A statement by the company revealed it is recording tens of thousands of bookings in the cities where it is operating — Cairo, Alexandria and Nairobi.