African Business Models (Kobo360)
At a time when Africa is having detailed discussions on the need for One Market. A time when moving goods across African countries is begging for modern ways of doing business. A time when african youths have fully embraced the internet and all its advantages. A time when online businesses are flourishing in every part of the globe. Obi Ozor and Ife Oyodele saw a huge opportunity in the African logistic market, and jumped on it. That marked the birth of Kobo360.
Kobo360
Kobo360 is a technology company that uses end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. With their seamless mobile and web applications, cargo owners can simply request for any truck of their choice and have their goods picked up and delivered to the required location through an all-in-one Online system.
Kobo360 uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions while empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastage and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo360 enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full.
Why The Model Was Successful
There has been trucking companies in Nigeria even before Obi Ozor was born. It actually feels as if the business is as old as time. In simple terms, it had to do with helping goods to get to the required destinations safely and on time. The twist they added to the business and changed it into a whole new business model is:- Technology and Organisation.
Although this model of business has been in existence for a long time, no one has thought about changing the way it is run, by using technology to organise the services and duties it entails. With this new model, arranging for Becoming a registered truck driver, arranging for haulage pickup and delivery has been been so easy. The use of technology in this business idea, has added a new dimension to the way logistics was formally done in Africa, thereby creating a new business model like never before.
Moving Forward
Since the establishment of Kobo360, the company has seen unprecedented growth in different sectors. For starters they have introduced KoboCare, which is a care package that supports drivers registered under them. They get discounts on diesel, tyres and healthcare services. They have also moved their services into new areas of the African market, with the aim of supporting the African One Market.
We see this Kobo360 as one of the leading modern businesses in Africa, this is because they have been able to take an existing business model and modernised it into a new generation business and this is the secret of new business models.
Business Lessons From Kobo360
The idea that “there is no school like old school” is true even with businesses. We have had so many business types from the dawn of time. At a glance, it feels like every business idea you have already exist out there. The future of business is taking an existing business and adding new, modern dimension to them. This is how the business model of Kobo360 came into existence.
Africa has the second largest amount of people online at every given time. This has given room to a whole new market and new ways of advertising. Why not leverage the internet for your next big business idea. The labour force in Africa is simply overwhelming, why don’t you find a use for that massive labour force and invest in people for profitability. Have a closer look at old businesses you knew from a long time ago and find was of adding new dimension to them to create new business models.
Shake off the idea that you need to have a product to sell before you set up a business. Services are the way forward, and people management might just surprise you. Uber did not have a car when he started a car chain company. Netflix never made a movie before he owned the biggest movie streaming media. The time to think outside the box when it comes to African wide market is NOW.
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