You've probably already heard of Uber, the famous American transport company. In Africa, and more specifically in Algeria, another company has designed and powered the first platform that, like Uber or Heetch, connects taxi users and drivers. This start-up is Yassirlaunched in 2017 by two Algerian friends, keen to revolutionise the transport sector in their country. Today, 5 years on, the innovative company is continuing its ascent, providing ever more useful services and extending its activities to other countries. In today's Fanaka Story, we take you to discover YassirAlgeria's revolution in the African transport sector.
Taking inspiration from the greats
Yassir was created in 2017 by two friends of Algerian origin: Noureddine Tayebi and Mehdi Yettou. They are both engineers and have just developed a VTC (chauffeur-driven car service) solution that they have named Yassir, a play on Arabic words meaning both "ride" and "easy". This solution is accessible via a mobile application available on the IOS and Android platforms. This makes Yassir one of the first companies in the VTC to operate in Algeria. In practical terms, the company offers customers chauffeur-driven cars, food delivery and financial services. For its founders, Yassir was an obvious choice. It was, the chronic lack of public transport in AlgiersThis, combined with a lack of flexibility on the part of some taxi drivers, created a need that had to be met. In a city of 4 million inhabitants, the company had to see the light of day.
So, in order to launch Yassir, it is clear that Mr TayebiThe idea for the new company was inspired by a well-known model, which was used by a research engineer at a major technology firm in Silicon Valley (USA) and his partner. The young company was named Algerian Uber but you'll see that there's a big difference between the Algerian start-up and the American transport giant. While we're waiting to find out, it's important to point out that the start-up has experienced exponential growth since its creation. But can we expect anything less with such a grand vision and ambition?
Yassir in figures
5 years after its creation, Yassir is doing well. The company is present in 25 towns in Algeria and in other North African and European countries such as the Tunisia, Canada and France. It claims 4 million users and the creation of 40,000 indirect jobs (drivers and delivery personnel). It also employs more than 600 engineers and has seen its monthly sales increase from 20 to 40%.
Having recently set up in Senegal, the tech start-up plans to expand elsewhere in West Africa and in the major African markets (South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt). In November 2022, Yassir raised 150 million in Series B financing from leading global investors. This financing brings the total amount raised by the company to $193.25 million. According to the Forbes Middle East ranking, Yassir is ranked 5th in the Top 50 most-funded start-ups in the Mena region (Middle East and North Africa).
Becoming a benchmark global super app: the Yassir method
In 2018, the start-up, which was created in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, was also present in other cities in the country. Well-known in the Maghreb countries, Yassir has not finished conquering the African market. The innovative company intends to extend its services to West Africa, and has recently set up operations in Togo, following on from Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.
The aim of Yassir's directors is to turn the start-up into a major technology company. While the plan is to turn it into a super-application that is recognised and used worldwide, its founders know that Africans must first be won over. There are real needs to be met on the continent, and the company's track record to date is exemplary. To achieve these ideals, Nouredine Tayebi believes it is necessary to be present on several regional, continental and global markets.
Today, Yassir is one of the best-known transport companies in Africa. Originally set out to revolutionise the sector on the continent, the founders are now thinking even bigger: reaching the world through technology. Their ambitions and the company's exponential growth mean they can now reach people all over the world and create jobs in Africa and elsewhere. If the tech sector is today a beacon of hope on the continent, it's thanks to innovative companies like these.
