Kenyan Startup BuuPass Wins Travel Innovation Award
Kenyan digital mobility firm BuuPass has been honoured by International Explorer, a leading global travel and tourism authority, as Africa's most innovative online travel booking solution.
The award recognizes the company's efforts in streamlining and digitalizing travel across Africa, particularly by addressing long-standing issues in the region’s transportation sector, such as limited accessibility and payment challenges.
“At BuuPass, innovation isn’t just about technology – it’s about creating real-world solutions that make travel more accessible, affordable, and efficient for everyday Africans,” said Kabra, co-founder at BuuPass. “This recognition inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in digital mobility solutions and present Africans with a life without borders.”
Founded in 2016 by Sonia and Wycliffe Omondi, BuuPass operates as a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) marketplace, allowing users to search, compare, and book tickets for intercity travel via its website, mobile application, and USSD service. Its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering also supports transport operators in managing fleet operations, inventory, and ticket sales.
To date, the platform has facilitated the sale of over 16 million travel tickets, generating more than $100 million in total sales. The company has an active presence in multiple African countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana.
In 2024, BuuPass significantly expanded its operations by acquiring QuickBus, increasing its reach to 16 African countries and adding more than 5,000 new travel routes.
The company has introduced several technological innovations, including a multi-modal booking system for buses, trains, and flights, and a Bus Management System (BMS) to improve fleet transparency and operational efficiency. BuuPass also employs artificial intelligence to aggregate travel data such as location, timing, vehicle registration, and fare, supporting both customer decision-making and regulatory compliance.
The company plans to expand into more African markets by 2025 and enhance user experience through features like real-time updates, advanced seat selection, and flexible payment options.