Nigerian startup Messenger is supporting gig workers and logistics operators with asset financing and credits to power local deliveries.
Messenger started as a traditional logistics business in 2018, serving the most popular Nigerian e-commerce brands and individuals with logistics needs. The company incorporated technology into its processes and pivoted to solving the challenges they faced as a traditional organisation.
“No one was financing the last mile players,” Amanda Etuk, who founded the business alongside Essien Etuk, told Disrupt Africa.
“Financing for logistics operations, with the high rate of unemployment on the continent, e-commerce and trade, continues to grow, leaving a gap for logistics and fulfillment.”
The competition is local logistics players and finance houses, but Amanda said though they may appear to have the head start now, this will not last.
“Our difference is in the impact we create, and our deep understanding of the sector having operated traditionally for over five years and worked in executive roles managing logistics for innovative companies,” she said.
Messenger has already clocked up over 4,000 users on its delivery hailing platform, and financed 150 motorcycles. Having banked funding from The Baobab Network and Nama Ventures this year, the startup was also recently selected for the latest ASIP accelerator programme run by Startupbootcamp AfriTech.
Amanda is planning immediate expansion across Francophone Africa.
“In my current sojourn across West Africa, I find that the people and markets are more similar than those, for example, in East Africa, beside the language barrier,” she said. “Also, we play in an industry that is ubiquitous, when you combine logistics and finance we have ready offtakers across the continent.”
Messenger makes money through commissions on local deliveries, insurance, and interests on its asset and operations financing. Amanda said it has earned close to US$1 million since launch.
