Kenyan Startup GoBEBA Aims for Regional Dominance in Utilities Distribution

Kenyan startup GoBEBA, which aims to revolutionize Africa’s utilities supply chain amidst rapid urban growth, has announced plans to expand into four additional Kenyan cities within the next two years, followed by further expansion into East and Central Africa.

Founded in 2019 by Peter Ndiang’ui, former OLX general manager, and Lesley Mbogo, former head of product at Amazon, GoBEBA specializes in the online distribution of bulky, refillable essentials. The startup has built a sophisticated technology platform to manage a network of micro-fulfillment hubs, which they plan to enhance with AI and robotics.

“We distribute bulky, unpiped utilities like drinking water and cooking energy in African cities,” Ndiang’ui told Disrupt Africa. He noted that consumers in emerging market cities replenish their essentials over 17 times a month, a process often hindered by heavy traffic, chaotic public transport, and limited modern retail options. GoBEBA's tech-driven model aims to provide convenience without increasing costs, a challenge many have struggled to overcome.

“GoBEBA is leapfrogging 20th century retail development by bypassing traditional modern bricks and mortar retail formats in African cities to a more efficient technology-enabled distribution of daily essentials,” Ndiang’ui added. Through a network of micro-fulfillment stores supported by an AI-driven inventory management system, GoBEBA allows customers to order daily essentials for delivery in under an hour.

Currently operating in Nairobi, GoBEBA's imminent expansion aims to extend its innovative services to more urban centers across Kenya, with plans to eventually reach other regions in East and Central Africa.

Source: Tom Jackson / Disrupt Africa