Halan, an Egyptiantechnology start-up that uses two- and three-wheeled vehicles to transportpassengers and goods, will begin operating in Ethiopia before the end of 2019,its chief executive told Reuters.
The company, which targets underserved communities, is also expanding to more cities in the Egyptian governorates of Sharqeya, Daqahleya, Damietta, Qena and Gharbeya this year, said CEO and founder Mounir Nakhla.
Halan's app allows customers to request motorbike or tuk-tuk rides, or order food or goods for delivery via motorbikes or cargo tricycles. Founded in November 2017, it already operates in around 20 to 25 cities in Egypt and Sudan.
"Halancompletes a few million rides per month, almost half a million of which are infood deliveries," Nakhla said, adding ride-hailing trips had increased 55%and food deliveries more than quadrupled in the year to date.
Nakhla, who has abackground in microfinance, hopes Halan will become "pan-African" andsaid he saw tremendous opportunity for growth on the continent.
"Adama is avery small place in Ethiopia, about 150 km away from Addis Ababa, and it has alot of two-wheelers and three-wheelers," Nakhla said.
"It's a greatplace to test our product in Ethiopia. We've already done tens of rides therein the form of testing, and we've got a team on board."
The city has lessthan 1,000 vehicles whose drivers Halan will try to recruit to its platform "beforelaunching countrywide," Nakhla said.
Halan has deliverypartnerships with fast food chains like McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut in Egypt.It is now targeting smaller restaurants in the underserved areas it focuses on.
