Ugandan Bike-Hailing Startup SafeBoda is Expanding to its Second Nigerian City, Ibadan

SafeBoda, an Ugandan-based bike-hailing startup might be kickstarting its Nigerian operations soon with a tentative second launch in Ibadan.

Earlier in May, the startup raised an undisclosed amount in a Series B funding round co-led by digital investment firm, Allianz X and Indonesia’s ride-hailing company, GOJEK. This round was to be used to add important Fintech services to its platform for both its drivers and passengers as well as fund its expansion to other African markets, being Nigeria.

And now, in a tweet by SafeBoda’s Country Head, Babajide Duroshola, the company is looking to hire Operations Associates to join its team in the South-Western city.

From the advert, it’s obvious Ibadan will be its second market in Nigeria after Lagos. Its operations are now based in Kampala (Uganda), Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria) and Barcelona (Spain).

Safeboda bikes are, however, yet to hit the roads of Lagos, the first Nigerian city it launched in.

The advert also states that “the Operations team are at the heart of SafeBoda and are responsible for ensuring SafeBoda rapidly grows its driver community to improve Okada transportation in Lagos forever.” By extension, the to-be selected Operations Associates will help grow, maintain, and support its community of riders in Ibadan.

With the planned expansion, SafeBoda will actually not be the first of its kind in Ibadan. The bike-hailing market already welcomed Opera’s ORide, who have been giving massively discounted rides to the population.

Penetrating this market will, of course, be SafeBoda’s first task.