Gozem Secures $30 Million to Expand Across French-Speaking Africa

Transport

Thursday, 27 February 2025 15:26

Gozem Secures $30 Million to Expand Across French-Speaking Africa

(Togo First) - Transport technology platform Gozem has raised $30 million to speed up its expansion in French-speaking Africa. The financing, including equity and debt, is led by SAS Shipping Agencies Services Sàrl, a subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, and Al Mada Ventures.

Launched in Lomé in 2018, Gozem is a ride-hailing Super App offering mobility, delivery, digital ticketing, and financing services. With the new funds, Gozem plans to expand further across West and Central Africa, improve its drivers' experience, by providing access to new vehicles, and launch Gozem Money, an innovative digital banking solution.

Diego Aponte, Chairman of MSC Group, views this partnership as part of the Group's commitment to developing innovative mobility and logistics solutions in Africa. Omar Laalej, Managing Director of Al Mada Ventures, praises Gozem's inclusive and reliable model, which meets the growing demand for accessible digital services on the continent.

"We are delighted to welcome MSC Group and Al Mada Ventures as strategic investors. Their expertise in logistics and financial services in Africa will be a valuable asset to develop our Super App rapidly and expand into new markets. Having leaders of this caliber by our side fully validates our vision and ambitions," said Gregory Costamagna and Raphaël Dana, co-founders of Gozem.

Gozem currently operates in Togo, Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon. It boasts over one million users and over 30 million rides since its inception.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.