Shega Weekly – Issue 28: Kenya’s Little Cab Expands to Ethiopia and More Stories

Hello,

Welcome to this week’s edition of Shega Weekly Newsletter ( Issue # 28 ) – Here is a recap of major stories from Ethiopia’s Innovative ecosystem.

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Kenya’s Little Cab Expands to Ethiopia

Little Technologies S.C launched Little Mekina, a ride-hailing platform in Ethiopia in partnership with Little Cab.

Little Cab is a Kenyan-based ride-hailing company that is backed by Safaricom. It has been operating in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Now, the platform is set to launch a ride-hailing service in Ethiopia.

Mekonnen Mikael, Communication and Advocacy Director of the Ethiopia company told The Reporter Ethiopia, Little Mekina is launched in Ethiopia through Little Technologies Share Company. It is established with a paid-up capital of 140 million Birr, by Ethiopian investors.

As reported by The Reporter Ethiopia, the platform aims to incorporate super applications with extended services like ride services, car rentals, mobile top-ups, and utility payments. Read More.

The Good Business Accelerator Program Wraps up with a Virtual Demo Day

The Good Business, a COVID response entrepreneurship support program has been supporting 10 Startups in its first accelerator cohort. Businesses in textile & design, nutrition & food, and health & wellness have taken part in the program.

After 10 weeks of intense training, coaching, and mentorship startups Aklil, Afropian, Yonael Marega, The Goat Addis, Tuba Designs, Bamboo Labs, Berbera Market, Fili coffee, Kushineta & Maleda Crafts pitched their companies on a virtual event. Get to know the TGB startups here.

Ethiopian-Eritrean Diaspora Dating App Reaches 50K Users

Jebena is an Ethiopian-Eritrean diaspora-focused dating app. It was launched in April 2020. Jebena has acquired 50,000 users, and over 115,000 matches have been made on the platform in its 1-year run. Read Shega’s Coverage on Jebena.

Eshi Express Raises Seed Investment from Addis Ababa Angeles Network

Eshi Express, a last-mile delivery company, closed a seed round investment from Addis Ababa Angles Network. This is AAA’s second official investment after investing in another logistics company Across Express last year.

Eshi Express’s main operations are in Addis Ababa and two regional cities, with the latest investment and strategic support from AAA Network, Eshi plans to scale up its business and expand to multiple regional cities soon. Read More.

The Ministry of Innovation and Technology to Expand Internet Coverage to Rural Regions

MInT signed an agreement with the Internet Society to avail internet service to rural regions in Ethiopia. The agreement supports the ongoing efforts to build a digital economy, provide strong internet connectivity in rural areas, expand internet infrastructure and improve Internet management.

According to MInT, the agreement is expected to help the country develop digital services to advance key sectors that drive economic growth such as agriculture, manufacturing, services, and tourism. Read More.

Ethio Telecom Expands 4G Service to Four More Cities

Following the installment of the 4G network to 12 cities in the past weeks, Ethio telecom has set up 4G to 4 additional cities in the Northeastern region of Ethiopia. The new cities are Semera, Logia, Asayita and Awash Sebat-kilo.

TeleBirr Hits New Milestones

Ethiotel’s TeleBirr has collaborated with the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia to let customers transfer cash to their TeleBirr account via CBE’s mobile banking app & USSD. In addition, users can also use Bank of Abyssinia’s internet banking platform and branch offices to deposit cash to and cash out from their TeleBirr accounts.

Shoa, Fresh Corner, All-Mart Supermarkets, Savour Restaurant, and Ador Hotel have started accepting payment via TeleBirr.

Santim Pay Launches an mPOS system

Santim Pay announced the launch of an mPOS system in partnership with Berhan Bank. Santim Pay is a payment solution provider, that enables users to make in-store and online payments using their existing bank details.

The mPOS system to be deployed will enable cashless transactions by debit cards in stores, and government offices benefiting both merchants and users.

The Santim mPOS systems will be distributed for free to merchants by partner banks and Santim. Santim is piloting its system at Shoa supermarket and Shuufare Meter Taxi, and its virtual loyalty cards will start operation at Shoa in the coming weeks. Check out the details in Shega’s article.

Ethiopian Food Delivery App Brings Your Food By Bicycle

Tikus is an on-demand food delivery platform that joined the Ethiopian market in May 2021. Tikus uses only bicycles and e-bikes to deliver food. Ever since its launch, Tikus has onboarded 50 restaurants and 100 plus delivery bikers. Get to know Tikus.

Paga to Start Operations in Ethiopia

The African Report reported, Nigerian origin digital payments solution Paga plans to begin operations in Ethiopia.

Paga is a Nigerian payments company that has over 17 million unique users and has processed $8bn worth of transactions in the last four years.

In 2020 Paga acquired Apposit, an Ethiopian-based tech company to help with its expansion to Ethiopia.

On expansion to Ethiopia Paga’s CEO Oviosu told The Africa Report “We want to solve the problems in big places – Africa and Latin America. We will go to neighboring countries [to Nigeria] in Africa, but our next country is Ethiopia. We are waiting for regulatory approvals currently, and are now working to prioritize the other African countries we aim for. But the way we go to various countries will differ.”  He also added there are 50 people in Ethiopia already working to establish Paga Ethiopia. Read More.

New Product Alert

CarCare is a start-up founded at the beginning of 2020. It is a mechanic-hailing service provider. CarCare provides its customers with on-site preventative service and maintenance. The service also includes the delivery of parts needed for the maintenance and service. Check it out at Car Care.

Congratulations Mimi!

Mimi Alemayou is Senior VP for Public-Private Partnership at the MasterCard and has now joined the Twitter Board of Directors, as a new independent director. Read More on Mimi’s Appointment.