Yango Ventures supports BuuPass to revolutionize intercity transportation in Africa
BuuPass, a Kenyan mobility company specializing in intercity travel bookings, has received a strategic investment from Yango Ventures, a $20 million Africa-focused corporate venture fund launched by UAE-based Yango Group.
The investment amount remains undisclosed, but it is part of BuuPass's total $2.94 million raised over four funding rounds. This funding will enable BuuPass to scale its digital platform and expand its footprint across Africa, enhancing its infrastructure and deepening integration with fragmented mobility ecosystems in the continent’s key travel corridors.
Founded in 2016, BuuPass has processed over 16 million ticket sales and enabled more than $100 million in travel transactions. The platform provides both a consumer-facing interface (available via web, mobile app, and USSD) and a SaaS solution that streamlines bus operations.
With the latest funding round, BuuPass plans to broaden its presence across Africa beyond its current markets — Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria. The fresh capital aims to improve intercity travel booking services by reinforcing technical systems, enabling more efficient ticket booking for buses, trains, and flights, and supporting bus operators with inventory and sales management tools.
Yango Ventures brings not only capital but also strategic insights, network access, and operational knowledge to help BuuPass thrive and scale effectively. This partnership highlights a long-term strategic commitment from Yango Group to Africa’s digital mobility ecosystem, aligning with Yango’s broader goal of supporting early-stage startups that address complex market needs through hybrid online-to-offline solutions, especially in transportation.
The future plans for BuuPass include expanding into up to 12 African countries by 2025. The company plans to use strategic partnerships with telecom operators, financial institutions, and digital platforms to drive scale. In 2024, BuuPass expanded its reach through the acquisition of QuickBus, extending its operations into South Africa and Nigeria.
The impact on Africa's intercity transport sector is expected to be significant. By digitizing ticket sales and management and expanding partnerships with transport operators, BuuPass aims to modernize and improve the efficiency of intercity travel infrastructure on the continent. This will enhance traveler experience, boost network connectivity across major travel corridors, and stimulate growth in Africa’s informal and formal transport economies through technology-enabled solutions.
BuuPass's co-founder Sonia Kabra noted that Yango's participation offers valuable understanding of Africa's mobility dynamics, extending beyond financial investment. Yango Ventures aims to support startups by offering not just capital, but also expertise and strategic networks to help them grow and positively impact their communities.
[1] TechCrunch. (2023). Yango Ventures backs BuuPass to accelerate growth in Africa’s intercity travel market. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/15/yango-ventures-backs-buupass-to-accelerate-growth-in-africas-intercity-travel-market/
[2] BuuPass. (2023). Press Release: BuuPass Secures Strategic Investment from Yango Ventures. [online] Available at: https://buupass.com/press-releases/buupass-secures-strategic-investment-from-yango-ventures/
[3] Disrupt Africa. (2023). BuuPass secures strategic investment from Yango Ventures. [online] Available at: https://disrupt-africa.com/2023/03/buupass-secures-strategic-investment-from-yango-ventures/
[4] Techpoint Africa. (2023). BuuPass secures strategic investment from Yango Ventures. [online] Available at: https://techpoint.africa/2023/03/15/buupass-secures-strategic-investment-from-yango-ventures/
- The strategic investment from Yango Ventures shows BuuPass's commitment to advance its business in the field of finance, with the aim of utilizing technology to enhance Africa's intercity travel market.
- The partnership between BuuPass and Yango Ventures is not just about finance, but also about leveraging technology to deepen integration with Africa's business ecosystems and modernize intercity travel infrastructure.
