West African startup Gozem acquires Togolese food delivery service as it scales its “super app” offering

West African startup Gozem, which started out in the ride-hailing business but has been adding product lines as it transitions into a “super app”, has acquired Delivroum, Togo’s leading food delivery app.

Launched in Togo in November 2018 on the back of raising US$900,000 in funding, ride-hailing app, Gozem swiftly expanded to Benin and added to its transport offering with rickshaws.

In July, the startup launched an e-commerce delivery service in Lome and Cotonou, allowing users to order items via the app and have them delivered to their doorsteps, as it began the process of becoming an all-inclusive “super app”.

That transition was formalised last month with the rollout of a new interface, and Gozem has now added to its offering by acquiring Delivroum. Founded in 2018 in Lomé, the startup was the first dedicated food delivery app in Togo and quickly became the country’s leading food delivery app. By acquiring Delivroum, Gozem broadens its delivery offerings in Togo, adding meal delivery to a bundle of services that includes delivery of groceries, cooking gas bottles, and various other e-commerce items.

In the near term, Delivroum operations will not be impacted, and its customers can keep ordering meals via the Delivroum app as usual. The Delivroum team will join Gozem’s delivery department, and over the medium term Delivroum’s operations and brand will be integrated into a new, standalone Gozem Food vertical.

“We’ve worked hard to build our delivery platform in the last months and we’re excited to integrate Delivroum into our operations in Togo. This transaction enables us to fast track our food delivery business in the country and we’re thrilled to integrate like-minded young entrepreneurs in our growth journey across Africa,” said Jean-Martial Moulaud, country manager for Gozem Togo.

Jean-Claude Kunakey, Delivroum’s co-founder, said it was a natural step to join Gozem.

“We highly value the strong growth capability and local, multi-geography knowledge that Gozem and the management team has demonstrated. We’re proud and excited to join the family,” he said.