Gozem generates over $90mln for 40,000 driver-partners in seven years

Finance

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 14:55

Gozem generates over $90mln for 40,000 driver-partners in seven years

(Togo First) - From its base in Togo, Gozem continues to expand its footprint in West Africa’s tech landscape. In seven years, the startup has generated more than $90 million (about CFA55 billion) in earnings for 40,000 driver-partners, referred to as its “champions,” who contribute to the company’s growth model.

In parallel, over 7,000 vehicles have been financed for a total of $20 million (about CFA12 billion). These figures, disclosed by Group Director Jean-Martial Moulaud during the inauguration of Gozem’s new offices in Lomé, reflect the company’s scale and its economic impact.

Founded in 2018 as a simple motorcycle taxi booking app, Gozem has since evolved into a digital ecosystem that integrates mobility, e-commerce, and financial services.

The company first expanded across several Togolese cities—Kara, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Aného, Tsévié, and Sokodé—before reaching other West and Central African markets. Backed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) funding in 2022, Gozem strengthened its growth strategy through the acquisition of two startups, one in Togo and another in Benin, to deepen its presence in e-commerce and digital payments.

“These results show that our vision of building a complete digital ecosystem serving people and partners is taking shape. With our new offices, we aim to provide a modern workspace that fosters innovation and attracts top talent to continue growing from Togo,” said Jean-Martial Moulaud, Gozem Group Director.

New headquarters to drive innovation

Togo now hosts Gozem’s regional headquarters, inaugurated on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the presence of Minister of Territorial Administration Hodabalo Awate and Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Abdul-Fahd Fofana.

The multi-story facility was designed to promote innovation, featuring a real-time vehicle monitoring center to optimize field operations. It also includes coworking spaces to encourage collaboration among teams and partners. The first two floors are reserved for startups seeking to join the Gozem ecosystem, providing a launchpad for emerging tech ventures.

“This headquarters symbolizes our commitment to our teams and our ambition to build a tech hub in Togo,” said Ange Amegnikpo, Managing Director of Gozem Togo.

The initiative comes as Togo’s startup ecosystem grows rapidly in mobility, fintech, e-commerce, agritech, and digital technology. The government aims to make the country a regional tech hub by improving access to funding for young enterprises.

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.