Kenyan mobility startup BuuPass has recently completed the acquisition of QuickBus, marking a significant step in its strategic expansion into Nigeria and South Africa.
Launched in 2016, BuuPass operates a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets through various channels including web, app, and USSD. To date, the company has facilitated the sale of over six million travel tickets and generated over US$100 million in total value of goods sold. BuuPass has also participated in the prestigious Google for Startups Accelerator Africa and received backing from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund.
QuickBus, which was founded in 2019, focuses on aggregating long-distance bus tickets. It simplifies the process for users to compare prices and book journeys, while also providing tools to help bus companies operate more efficiently.
This acquisition by BuuPass aims to significantly enhance its operations in South Africa and Nigeria, promising the addition of over 5,000 new routes to its platform. Furthermore, BuuPass plans to integrate over 100 bus operators and establish several high-profile online distribution partnerships, including collaborations with major players like FNB, Vodacom, and MTN.
Sonia Kabra, co-founder of BuuPass, expressed her enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “We are excited to expand our footprint in Africa as we actively seek out more opportunities to bring our platform to new African markets. BuuPass aims to create a comprehensive, continent-wide network of interconnected transport options for seamless global and continental travel. This acquisition is a significant milestone toward achieving that goal.”