#54: Swvl - How the bus mobility platform became one of the largest transportation companies in Africa
Afrobility: Africa Tech and Business - A podcast by Olumide Ogunsanwo and Bankole Makanju
Categorie:
Overview: Today, we’re going to talk about Swvl, the Egyptian and Dubai based mobility platform. We’ll explore the Swvl story across 5 areas:
- Egypt transportation context
- Swvl's early history
- Product & monetization strategy
- Swvl's SPAC public offering
- Overall outlook.
This episode was recorded on July 17, 2022
Companies discussed: Swvl, Careem, Uber, Treepz & Rocket Internet
Business concepts discussed: Mobility strategy, Ridesharing, Bus sharing, Public transportation, infrastructure dependencies, IPOs & Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)
Conversation highlights:
- (01:00) - Intro and why we’re discussing this topic
- (06:15) - Context on Egypt and Africa ridesharing
- (13:50) - Founders’ background and Swvl founding
- (25:22) - Fundraising and geographical expansion
- (31:15) - Expansion strategy and acquisitions
- (38:12) - Product and monetization strategy
- (59:16) - Competition and SPAC
- (1:16:55) - Bankole’s overall thoughts and outlook
- (1:30:15) - Olumide’s overall thoughts and outlook
- (1:44:35) - Recommendations and small wins
Olumide’s recommendations & small wins:
- Recommendation: The Power Law book - About the history of venture capital
- Recommendation: Nas - One Mic
- Small win: Upgraded RAM in my old laptop, I haven't done that in a while. It feels awesome to do something mechanical like that
- Interested in investing in Africa Tech with Olumide: Read about Adamantium fund & contact me at [email protected]
- Founders looking for funding: If you're a B2B founder working on Education, Health, Finance or food, please contact me for funding at [email protected]
Bankole’s recommendations & small wins:
- Recommendation: What Does A Batsman See & Matter - Reading App & Build by Tony Fadell
- Small win: Started taking long walks again. No music, just walks over an hour
- Other content: More Money Than God - Sebastian Mallaby & Dial 911 and Wall Street answers - NY Times
Listeners: We’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] with feedback!
Founders & Operators: We'd love to hear about what you're working on, email us at [email protected]
Investors: It would be great to link up with you. Contact us at [email protected]
