AfriKonekta, an online bus booking platform, has launched a nationwide intercity digital bus booking service. This innovative platform allows passengers to effortlessly reserve bus tickets to major destinations across the country, starting from a mere $1 or approximately Ksh 148 (based on today’s exchange rate). In addition, the platform seamlessly integrates parcel delivery services, catering to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, online merchants, and individuals seeking person-to-person delivery.
According to Tichaona Dande, CEO of Afrikonekta, the platform aims to foster a united Africa, promoting regional and continental integration on a larger and more profound scale.
“AfriKonekta was created to build a connected Africa, provide customer focused, low-cost, ‘smart’ and great value travel which is convenient to book and use. Our emphasis is on connectivity, timetable synchronization, route planning and integration, opening up country, regional and continent-wide transportation system through leveraging technology/digital innovations, e-commerce capabilities, and partnerships to make intercity transportation accessible, comfortable, attractive, efficient, well-connected, reliable, safe, sustainable, and affordable.”
Covered Areas
AfriKonekta is a platform that caters to long distance bus operators traveling between Nairobi and other towns. Currently, it offers services to over 37 destinations, including:
- Mombasa
- Moyale
- Nakuru
- Malindi
- Busia
- Sori
- Bungoma
- Butere
- Siaya
- Homabay
- Kapenguria
- Lake Turkana
- Bondo
- Kisii
- Oyugis
- Migori
- Usenge
- Luanda
- Ukwala Port
- Mumias
- Kitale
- Mbale
- Malaba
- Kakuma
- Nyamira
- Kakamega
- Eldoret
- Kisumu and more.
The startup has also partnered with approximately 22 bus operators, including Msamaria Mwema, Nya Ugenya, Salama Bus, Transline Kemera Sacco, Promise Buses, We Travellers Sacco, and Eldoret Express, among others.
“We are looking to sign up more players, launch operations in Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda by early next year,” according to Dande, this move is aimed at expanding its East Africa connectivity, continental coverage, and strengthening its inventory of partner operators.
“Our commitment is to deliver a revolutionary means of travel that makes long distance travel in Africa a tech-powered and attractive option. We have studied the best practices of global platforms, added our comprehensive expertise of the long-distance bus industry, and adapted the service to the African market needs,” Dande.
How To Access The Service
Travellers can conveniently access the service through an app, website, WhatsApp, or a toll-free phone call. This seamless platform enables users to effortlessly book tickets, select preferred seats, and make digital payments, eliminating the necessity to physically visit bus booking stations.
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Dande further highlights the untapped potential of intercity bus travel in Africa, emphasizing the vast opportunities waiting to be explored.
“AfriKonekta’s key partners are small and medium size bus operators. These operators typically don’t have access to modern digital tools. Digitalization accelerates their business growth, gives them more efficient sales channels, better customer experience, better visibility to actual sales, and tools to predict demand and use their vehicles more effectively,” Dande expressed his optimism.
Before establishing itself in Kenya in 2021, AfriKonekta conducted an extensive study to comprehend the unique requirements of both Kenyan operators and local passengers. This led to a six-month pilot phase, during which the company successfully sold over 45,000 tickets. By understanding and addressing the specific needs of the Kenyan market, the company laid a strong foundation for its operations in the country.
