Exclusive: Ex-Uber Staff, Obi Ozor is Building Africa’s Most Efficient E-Logistics Company

Named as one of the youngest and fastest-growing CEOs in Africa, Obi Ozor has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing Africa’s logistics sector with the adoption of technology.

He conceptualised Kobo360 after experiencing transportation bottlenecks when he ran a shipping business with his friend – they shipped baby clothes and diapers from the US to Nigeria – Ozor said sometimes it took a week to move goods across Nigeria, and he determined to simplify the supply chain.

Before launching Kobo360, a delivery logistics startup that connects truck owners and drivers with SMEs who need to move their goods timely and safely, he had garnered requisite knowledge and skills at JP Morgan where he worked as an investment banker; then at Uber Nigeria as the Director of Operations.

Since its launch in 2016, Kobo360 has continued to serve SMEs and eCommerce platforms, leveraging renowned third-party industry players to provide cost-effective logistics solutions for these businesses. The company is in partnership with Chisco Transport Group, DHL, UPS, Air France, KLM, SA Airlines, and a network of drivers all over Africa.

Kobo360 is currently present in five African countries, with plans to expand to five more countries by the end of 2020.

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I am Obi Ozor, Group CEO and Co-founder of Kobo360 – Africa’s leading e-logistics platform. I manage all key aspects of the Kobo360 business, including operations, investments, compliance risk management, and product growth. Previously, I worked at J.P. Morgan as an investment banker, before becoming the Operations Coordinator at Uber Nigeria. In 2016, I started Kobo360 with my co-founder, Ife Oyedele II.

Q: How did you discover your vision or what led you into this line of business/career?

A: My co-founder, Ife Oyedele and I ran a shipping business whilst in the US, shipping baby soap and diapers from the US to Nigeria. We were surprised by how it took nearly a week to move goods 1000km across the country, and this was when we decided to create a business to reduce the time it took for goods to move across the country as well as create overall efficiency within the supply chain. The solution was to build Kobo360, an all-in-one digital logistics platform to help cargo owners match their goods with suitable trucks to deliver their goods, within a few hours.

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Q: What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you started in business?

A: I went into business at a very young age, and at times it was a lonely position to be in. Having a co-founder or business partner to bounce ideas off of, and shares the same vision makes it a lot easier when you’re in the thick of it. When you are tasked with a tough decision, having someone there who is just as invested (not necessarily financially) is invaluable.

Q: Shed more light into Kobo360’s service.

A: Kobo360 is an African e-logistics platform which aggregates end-to-end haulage services by connecting all members of the supply chain such as cargo owners and recipients, truck owners and truck drivers, through an all-in-one logistics application. Our platform utilizes technology to assign trips via a mobile app, with real-time visibility and monitoring of goods, with the help of GPS trackers, ensuring a smoother, more efficient logistics supply chain. Kobo360 is currently present in 5 countries (Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda), with plans to expand to 5 more countries by the end of 2020.

Read the rest of the interview in our digital magazine here: Find it on pages 16 & 17.

Editor’s Note: This interview was originally conducted by Victor Oluwole