Uganda has announced plans to have all bodabodas within its capital city, Kampala go digital after the coronavirus pandemic. This means that all motorcycles shall operate under digital companies like Safe Boda, Uber, and Bolt.
According to Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, the implementation will be done in the first three weeks after the current lockdown is lifted. He reiterates that boda-bodas will only be allowed to operate up to 7pm for 21 days until all of them are registered.
The proposals remain in the hands of the Cabinet which will make a final decision.
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Uganda already has its fair share of the digital taxis market. Its transport startup, Safeboda, in 2019 raised an undisclosed amount in Series B funding round to deepen its platform and expand to new markets. In 2018, it raised S$1.1 million funding.
SafeBoda connects passengers with motorcycles while also offering additional financial services.
If the Cabinet approves the new proposals, this could make Safeboda the most powerful transport company in Uganda.
Elsewhere, Nigeria also banned all commercial bikes and tricycles from the highways of its most populous city, Lagos on 1st February 2020.
According to TechSci Research report, the two-wheeler market in Africa is forecast to cross $9 billion by 2021. South Africa, Nigeria, and Tanzania are the largest two-wheeler markets in Africa, followed by Kenya, Algeria, Uganda, Egypt, Morocco, Angola, and Ethiopia.
Uber is already offering a two-wheel transit option in East Africa as well as Bolt (previously Taxify) taxi services in Kenya.
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