A startup based in Kenya, Komboa, has launched the country’s first peer-to-peer car-sharing platform and this innovative platform aims to disrupt the traditional and often characterized as ‘difficult’ method to ownership of a vehicle currently used in Kenya. Meaning that, Komboa’s platform has been able to provide a car to those who cannot own a vehicle
To date, the startup has reported that more than 100 registered users have rented their vehicles to other users through its platform. Eric Gisore, founder and director of Komboa, explains that they aim to become the most preferred platform for car rentals in the country.
“Our mission is to be the largest and most preferred platform for car rentals in East and Central Africa since we plan to roll out to other cities and towns outside Nairobi, and later on expand to the larger East and Central African region,” said Gisore.
Challenges for the startup
Gisore explained that the startup has not received any funding and has been “running on the bootstrapping of its founders, right from development to its current state of operation.”
There have been several challenges that the startup has faced. According to Gisore, these have included the lack of government policies to support startups in Kenya and the lack of funding from financial institutions.
“They don’t extend funding to startups since they don’t trust startups and there is no mechanism/guidelines from the govt to enable startups to have easy access to funding from such institutions,” said Gisore.
Other0 challenges include entrepreneurs not having access to mentors from the East African region who would be able to assist startups such as Komboa.
Reduce traffic on Kenyan roads
Gisore added that the startup was developed to reduce traffic congestion on Kenyan roads by allowing cars to be shared. By providing a digital platform that will allow users to share cars, Komboa will reduce the amount of environmental pollution and harmful gas emissions.
“Komboa seeks to have a social impact of having Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) in line with UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals, but leveraging on the advantages of the social economy i.e flexibility, more sustainable use of resources and independence that the users of a sharing economy get,” concludes Gisore.
