Africa-Press – Gambia. BuuPass, a Kenyan mobility company operating a B2B2C platform for intercity travel across Africa, has received strategic investment from Yango Ventures to accelerate its expansion across the continent and strengthen its foothold in the transport sector.
Since its 2016 launch, BuuPass has processed over 16 million ticket sales and enabled more than $100 million in travel transactions. The platform provides both a consumer-facing interface—available via web, mobile app, and USSD and a SaaS solution that streamlines bus operations by digitising inventory, sales, and scheduling, addressing key inefficiencies in Africa’s predominantly informal intercity transport network.
BuuPass, founded by Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, secured a $1.3 million pre-seed round in early 2023, with support from investors such as FrontEnd Ventures, XA Network, Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, and Renew Capital. In 2024, the startup expanded its reach through the acquisition of QuickBus, extending its operations into South Africa and Nigeria and integrating thousands of additional routes and transport operators into its platform.
Yango Ventures’ investment part of a $20 million early-stage fund launched by ride-hailing company Yango Group is both strategic and financial. While Yango concentrates on urban mobility, its backing of BuuPass provides a gateway into intercity travel markets and sets the stage for integrated mobility services across Africa.
Yango Group CEO Daniil Shuleyko emphasized that Yango Ventures aims to support startups by offering not just capital, but also expertise and strategic networks to help them grow and positively impact their communities. BuuPass co-founder Sonia Kabra added that Yango’s participation offers valuable understanding of Africa’s mobility dynamics, extending beyond financial investment.
This latest funding round supports BuuPass as it advances its pan-African growth strategy. The recent acquisition of QuickBus has extended its reach from Kenya and Uganda into key markets like Nigeria and South Africa. Looking ahead, the company aims to expand into as many as 12 African countries by 2025, using strategic partnerships with telecom operators, financial institutions, and digital platforms to drive scale.
BuuPass’s expansion highlights a continent-wide transition from disjointed, paper-based transport systems to integrated digital mobility platforms. By combining SaaS tools for operators with a consumer-facing marketplace, the company is building a scalable and resilient ecosystem capable of connecting millions of travelers across countries and regions.
While the specific funding figure remains undisclosed, Yango’s investment reflects a long-term strategic commitment to BuuPass. The backing is expected to fuel the company’s rapid expansion, enhance its technology stack, and strengthen its network of agents and transport operators. With this support, BuuPass is positioning itself as a foundational player in Africa’s evolving intercity mobility infrastructure.
Riding the wave of rising smartphone penetration and growing access to mobile payments and digital services, BuuPass is well-placed to lead intercity ticketing and transport operations across Africa’s rapidly digitizing travel landscape.
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