By Emma Okonji
Gokada, the Nigeria-based last mile delivery, logistics and transportation start-up, has launched a ‘Super App’ where customers can access food delivery, ecommerce, and ride hailing services in one app.
The launch of the solution comes as Gokada crosses the $100 million mark in annual transaction value, having completed one million food delivery and e-commerce orders on behalf of over 30,000 merchants in the last 12 months alone.
The company said its growth was fast accelerating, as it grew its volume three times in the last six months, adding that with increasing internet penetration and ease of mobile payments, the e-Commerce sector in Nigeria is set to grow and last mile delivery is set to drive it even further.
Gokada is looking to serve the growing market with expansions from its current base in Lagos, across multiple cities in Nigeria, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan and Ogun. Gokada plans to leverage its recent NIPOST license for cross-country courier and logistics services as it expands across the country.
Speaking on the development of the Gokada Super App, its CEO, Nikhil Goel, said, “The ecommerce and delivery market in Nigeria is growing at an exponential rate and will be worth $20 billion over the next few years.
“I experienced the same kind of growth in India when I was with Zomato. Much like in India and our counterparts in other emerging markets, Gokada is building a transport infrastructure from the bottom up, using well-trained riders, powered by technology, to connect businesses large and small with a consumer base in its millions.
“This launch is core to our objective of positioning Gokada at the center of Nigeria’s e-commerce and delivery revolution.”
In addition to the launch of the Gokada Super App and its multi-city expansion plans, Gokada is also strengthening its senior management team, with the recent appointment of Dika Oho as VP Product, who was previously Director of Developer Growth at Andela and will lead Gokada’s product development.
“Gokada’s expansion will see the creation of new jobs, with the addition of thousands of new G-pilots, the largest last mile delivery fleet size in Lagos. As well as significantly expanding its last-mile delivery offering, Gokada will also reintroduce its popular ride-hailing service in cities where licenses are available, initially starting with Ogun and Ibadan,” Goel further said.
“The Gokada Super App, available on Android and iOS, has been developed to enable customers have enhanced discovery of key services and products, have access to all Gokada pilots at the touch of a button, rate the service instantly and choose single or multi point deliveries,” Goel said.
“For the thousands of businesses who rely on the Gokada Super App to fulfill deliveries, they will have access to thousands of pilots, be able to create easy order management, use API integration to create and cancel orders, estimate delivery charges, and receive status updates straight from their mobile device, as well as select route optimisation to reduce delivery costs.
“Gokada currently works with the likes of Eden, Krispy Kreme and Sooyah Bistro, and will continue to build out its technology and G-pilot infrastructure to support Nigeria’s growing business community,” Goel, added.
“The past year has shown us all – whether it be for general use or for business continuity – just how much we rely on delivery services to fulfill daily needs. Business is changing, and the Gokada Super App has been designed with that very consideration in mind – keeping customers and businesses connected and updated at all times throughout the delivery process.
“We are excited to be leading and growing this market segment in Nigeria, delivering a service that we believe will be the backbone and catalyst for the future of commerce in Africa,” Goel explained.
