Tanzania - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Afrex Express empowers e-commerce businesses with hassle-free, customer-centric last-mile delivery solutions using affordable and eco-friendly mobility such as electric motorcycle and tricycle.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Afrex Express (African Express) is a logistics startup focused on revolutionizing last-mile delivery for e-commerce businesses in Tanzania and across Africa. Our mission is to provide hassle-free, customer-centric, and eco-friendly delivery solutions using affordable and sustainable mobility. We address common challenges such as a lack of customer orientation, delivery delays, and high costs by offering a sustainable and efficient alternative. Our unique selling point is our pay-on-delivery service, which helps e-commerce businesses collect cash on their behalf, addressing the trust issues prevalent in Tanzania's e-commerce market. Our target market includes small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses seeking reliable delivery services. We currently operate in Dar es Salaam and have successfully completed more than 9,000 deliveries. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our serv

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem Afrex Express aims to solve is the inefficiency and unreliability of last-mile delivery for e-commerce businesses in Tanzania and Africa. This includes challenges such as delivery delays, high costs, and lack of customer-centric services, which hinder the growth of e-commerce and diminish customer satisfaction. These issues lead to trust problems, lost sales, and a negative impact on business reputations. Afrex Express addresses these challenges by providing a sustainable, efficient, and affordable last-mile delivery solution. Our pay-on-delivery service builds trust by ensuring secure transactions, while our e-fulfillment center offers real-time tracking and seamless operations. By focusing on customer-centric and eco-friendly mobility, we enhance the overall delivery experience, support e-commerce growth, and foster trust in the market.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Afrex Express offers significant benefits to both e-commerce businesses and consumers through our last-mile delivery solutions: 1. Enhanced Trust with Pay on Delivery: For consumers, our pay-on-delivery service allows them to inspect their purchases before payment, building trust and reducing the risk of fraud. This addresses a significant challenge in the Tanzanian e-commerce market where trust is often a barrier. 2. Eco-friendly and Cost-effective Deliveries: Our transition from the use of fuel motorcycles to the use of electric motorcycles and tricycles for deliveries not only reduces carbon footprint, but also contributing to environmental sustainability and lowers operational costs. Thus, consumers benefit from this through competitive delivery pricing and a positive environmental impact. 3. Advanced Technology Integration: Consumers benefit from our state-of-the-art technology at our e-fulfillment center, which ensures real-time tracking and efficient logistics management.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Afrex Express provides last-mile delivery solutions specifically aimed at serving small to medium-sized e-commerce businesses in Tanzania. These businesses often face challenges with reliable and efficient delivery services, affecting their customer satisfaction and overall growth. Primary Target:E-commerce Businesses: Our services are designed for small to medium-sized online retailers who need dependable and cost-effective delivery solutions. These businesses benefit from our pay-on-delivery service, eco-friendly transportation, and advanced logistics technology, which help them build trust with their customers, increase sales and operate more sustainably. Secondary Target: Consumers: Indirectly, our services benefit consumers who shop online. They gain from enhanced trust and security through our pay-on-delivery option, timely and accurate deliveries due to our advanced tracking systems, and the satisfaction of supporting environmentally friendly practices.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-01-25

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

The cofounder is an experienced professional with over two decades of expertise in customer care and administration across both the public and private sectors. In our company, she serves as a crucial advisor, leveraging her extensive background to enhance our operational strategies and customer service excellence. She has significantly contributed both financially and through moral support in establishing Afrex Express, playing a pivotal role in our growth and success. Her dedication and insights continue to drive our mission of providing efficient and customer-centric last-mile delivery solutions.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.instagram.com/afrexgroup?igsh=d2V0MXdvZWh5ZGF6&utm_source=qr

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

c) Industry (equipment, commercial, logistical and professional services, transport)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Afrex Express, as a logistics startup specializing in last-mile delivery solutions, significantly contributes to poverty alleviation by creating employment opportunities in the labor-intensive logistics sector. By expanding its workforce, Afrex Express provides jobs to a diverse range of individuals, including drivers, warehouse staff, and administrative personnel. This job creation not only reduces unemployment rates but also enhances livelihoods, particularly in communities where formal job opportunities are limited. Furthermore, Afrex prioritizes fair labor practices and invests in training and skills development, empowering employees with valuable expertise that improves their career prospects and earning potential.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Afrex we plan to use fully electric motorcycles and tricycles whereby this use will improve air quality, reducing noise pollution, promoting physical activity, creating healthier urban environments, and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change all of which are essential for achieving good health and well-being for all.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

4

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

Afrex aims to use electric mobility whereby there will be less Oil and Fluid leakage, Electric Motorcycles typically have fewer components that require lubrication compared to internal combustion engine motorcycles. This reduces the likelihood of oil and fluid leaks that can contaminate soil and water bodies, affecting water quality and sanitation.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Afrex Express a company that promotes the use of electric cars and motorcycles for its deliveries contributes to affordable and clean energy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy deployment, improving air quality, and potentially reducing transportation costs all of which are critical elements of achieving affordable and clean energy for all.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Afrex as a logistics company contributes to decent work and economic growth by creating jobs, investing in skills development, promoting fair labor practices, supporting SMEs, developing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth through efficient and effective supply chain management and logistics services. These contributions are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Afrex Express as a logistics company's contributions to sustainable cities are crucial in promoting sustainable urbanization, improving infrastructure, reducing environmental impact, enhancing community well-being, and supporting smart city development. By adopting sustainable practices and collaborating with local stakeholders, Afrex as a logistics plays a pivotal role and pioneering other logistics companies in creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Briefly Afrex Express through its use recyclable materials and use of electric motorcycles and cars in the future contributes to climate action goal by reducing emissions, lowering its carbon footprint, promoting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, setting industry standards, supporting policy and innovation, creating sustainable supply chains, and raising awareness about climate action. These efforts collectively support the global goal of combating climate change and its impacts.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

4

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

5

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.08 Justification for my startup

The justification for my startup service to be innovative is proven by being the only logistics startup with focus on ecommerce business and providing efulfillment solution while employing eco-friendly mobility. Also with the potential to boom with the development of digital products, this is also signifies by our customers such as Tunzaa, Nida & Danish and Luxe Store who has been largely depending on boda boda (motorcyclist) and had no option.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Afrex Express operates in a competitive market with strong players like, DHL Express, Fedex, and Aramex. However, these are global companies with their focus to be present in country with little knowledge of local problems and solutions thus gives us advantage to leverage through their global experience and use our local solution as we are most familiar. Furthermore, there are local company such as Posta and to compete effectively with them, Afrex leverages its customer-centric approach, eco-friendly solutions, and advanced technology. While facing challenges like limited scale and resource constraints, Afrex can differentiate itself by emphasizing its unique selling points, expanding gradually, enhancing technology integration, forming strategic partnerships, and building brand awareness. By focusing on these strategies, Afrex can strengthen its competitive position and continue to grow in the Tanzanian logistics market.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?