SafeBoda Secures Investment from Google

Ugandan-grown ride-hailing firm SafeBoda has received funding from the Google Africa Investment Fund, which was announced two months ago by Sundar Pichai, the chief executive of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

The amount invested in SafeBoda was not disclosed, but the Fund plans to inject $50 million into the African startup ecosystem and SafeBoda is the first investee.

Launched in 2014, the company, which initially offered ride-hailing services -- has grown into offering payments, online shopping, savings, among other offerings to its customers in Uganda and Nigeria.

According to Techcrunch.com, the company has over a million customers and 25000+ drivers.

Citing a statement from Ricky Rapa Thomson, one of the SafeBoda founders, Techcrunch said the company will use the funding to scale its offerings to its growing user base.

"Born in Kyebando, Kampala we are proud to secure funding from Google, the world-leading technology company. Thanks to all SafeBoda team for the passion, energy, and amazing work every day," Maxime Dieudonne, another co-founder, tweeted.

"This will boost the start-up ecosystem in the region!"

Previous investors in SafeBoda include GoVentures, Allianz X, Transsion Holdings, Beenext, Unbound and Justin Kan.