Ride-hailing was just the entry point. Yango had bigger plans

As Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Business Officer at Yango Group, sat with an audience of business executives and investors at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, he shared a story that would have gone unnoticed if it weren't for the fact that it's evidence of the ambitions of a company that has been quietly building a presence across Africa. Yango Group, a Dubai-headquartered technology company, has expanded its operations to 35 markets, with a ride-hailing platform that has completed 340 million rides across the continent. But the company's focus on ride-hailing has been a misnomer, it's been building multiple products, with over 70 different product lines, and has now formally announced the launch of Yango Tech, a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) technology arm.

Yango Group's framework is built around cities, not countries. This approach is rooted in a fundamental belief that cities are the engines of growth on the continent. Adeniyi Adebayo makes a compelling statistical argument for this thesis. Take Côte d'Ivoire, for instance, with a population of roughly 34 million, but where economic activities are overwhelmingly concentrated in Abidjan, its capital city of 6.3 million people. The city's port accounts for around 60% of national economic activities, making Abidjan the dominant economic hub of the country. This is not unique to Côte d'Ivoire, cities across Africa are hubs of economic activity, and Yango Group is betting on this trend.

The tension between what Yango is known as and what it is trying to become is palpable. The company has been branded as a ride-hailing platform, but its ambitions stretch far beyond that. Yango Tech, launched on May 18, packages AI consulting, smart city infrastructure, healthcare digitisation, and financial services platforms for businesses and governments across the continent. This is a significant departure from the company's ride-hailing roots, and one that requires a fundamental shift in perception., will the market be willing to accept Yango as more than just a ride-hailing platform?

Yango Tech's B2B and B2G strategy has the potential to disrupt the status quo in Africa's technology landscape. By offering AI consulting, smart city infrastructure, and healthcare digitisation services, Yango is positioning itself as a key player in the continent's digital transformation. The company's focus on cities as engines of growth is also a savvy move, as it allows Yango to tap into the economic potential of urban areas. But, as with any disruption, there will be challenges, Yango will need to navigate complex regulatory environments and build trust with governments and businesses across the continent.

As Yango Tech embarks on its journey, one thing is certain, the company's ambitions will not be easily contained. With a focus on cities and a B2B and B2G strategy, Yango is poised to disrupt the status quo in Africa's technology landscape. Will the company be able to execute on its vision, or will it falter under the weight of its own ambitions?As Yango Tech continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how the company navigates the complex landscape of Africa's technology industry. With a focus on cities and a B2B and B2G strategy, Yango is well-positioned to become a major player in the continent's digital transformation. But, as with any disruption, there will be challenges, and Yango will need to be prepared to adapt to the changing landscape.