Grace Ashiru
BuuPass, a Kenyan mobility startup, has acquired QuickBus with plans to extend its operations into Nigeria and South Africa. BuuPass, established in 2016, operates as a B2B2C travel marketplace, enabling users to search, compare, and book tickets through USSD, mobile app, or web platforms. With over US$100 million in total sales value and more than six million tickets sold, BuuPass has garnered significant traction in the market.
The startup has also benefited from programs like the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa and received funding from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. QuickBus, on the other hand, was launched in 2019 and focuses on aggregating long-distance bus tickets, offering customers price comparisons and trip scheduling options while assisting bus companies in improving profitability.
“With BuuPass’s recent acquisition, the company is poised to strategically extend its presence into South Africa and Nigeria, with plans to incorporate over 5,000 additional routes into its network. BuuPass will also integrate with more than 100 bus companies and key online distribution partnerships, including FNB, Vodacom, and MTN. BuuPass co-founder Sonia Kabra expressed enthusiasm for the expansion, highlighting the company’s ambition to establish a comprehensive transport network across Africa for seamless regional and global travel.”
