High-tech taxis hit Brazzaville streets
Motorbike horns and smartphone pings will soon blend into one sound in Brazzaville. From 5 November, the West African Super App Gozem flips the switch in the Congolese capital, promising frictionless rides, digital payments and a first taste of the city’s fast-moving tech scene.
- High-tech taxis hit Brazzaville streets
- Four ride choices from day one
- Promos, prices and payments
- Drivers become digital Champions
- A smarter city in the making
- Money flows in a cash-lite future
- Eco and social stakes
- Connectivity and coverage challenges
- New services on the horizon
- Start-ups ride the momentum
The pilot phase launches with 1 700 vetted vehicles ranging from green-and-white taxis to air-conditioned cars. Co-founder Raphaël Dana calls it “the start of a pan-African vision built on real, daily needs” during a packed press briefing in the Plateau quarter.
Four ride choices from day one
Many residents already rely on motorcycles or informal taxis, but long waits, cash-only fares and safety worries persist. Gozem’s geolocation feature promises pick-ups within minutes, upfront pricing and driver profiles visible before a ride, easing the everyday commute for students, nurses and parents.
From day one the app offers four transport categories: classic taxi, premium car, moto-taxi and delivery tricycle. Operations head Manfreed Tomegah says the mix “reflects how Congolese move goods and people” and will scale to 2 000 vehicles once demand stabilises.
Promos, prices and payments
Pricing follows distance and traffic, yet a promotional 50 % discount on the first two trips invites curious users to test the service. A referral programme rewards passengers who convince friends to install the free app available on Android and iOS stores.
Drivers become digital Champions
Unlike some ride-hailing giants that sidestep local fleets, Gozem partners with existing taxi syndicates. Drivers, rebranded “Champions”, receive smartphones, training, reflective jackets and access to micro-insurance, turning what was once an informal hustle into a more predictable monthly income.
Champion Noël Mabiala tested the platform for two weeks. “I see my route, the fare and the customer’s phone number before starting the engine. There is less bargaining, less stress,” he smiles, adding that cashless wallets reduce the risk of late-night thefts.
A smarter city in the making
For city officials, digital traceability dovetails with their plan to formalise the 15 000-strong taxi sector. Metered rides and route histories could feed future traffic studies, while the platform’s SOS button sends coordinates directly to police in the event of an incident.
Gozem’s ecosystem stretches beyond mobility. Partnerships are in discussion with car dealers, garages and insurers to offer discounted maintenance. Local supermarkets may soon integrate last-mile delivery, and micro-credit banks see an opportunity to evaluate driver earnings digitally before approving small loans.
Money flows in a cash-lite future
Economic analyst Aurélien Okemba notes that every franc transferred in-app stays traceable inside Congo’s banking network, pushing digital inclusion. “When commuters top up mobile wallets, that money can later pay electricity bills or tuition,” he explains, linking ride-hailing with wider cash-lite goals.
Security and pricing were sticking points during stakeholder talks. The company agreed to publish a fare calculator, display driver IDs and respect the government’s minimum taxi tariff. Municipal spokesperson Élise Banzouzi says the measures “protect passengers without stifling innovation” ahead of the official ribbon-cutting.
Eco and social stakes
The launch comes as rising fuel prices and traffic jams bite into household budgets. By pooling rides and reducing empty returns, Gozem claims it can lower per-kilometre costs and carbon emissions, although detailed environmental data will only emerge after several quarters of operation.
Social media buzz is already visible. Within hours of the press event, TikTok clips showed influencers booking test rides, rating interiors and comparing tariffs to traditional cabs. The hashtag #GozemBrazza gathered thousands of views, hinting at the platform’s reliance on youth-driven word-of-mouth.
Connectivity and coverage challenges
Yet adoption will hinge on network reliability. Telecom operators MTN and Airtel assured that 4G coverage along main arteries is sufficient, and the app includes an offline SMS fallback for final confirmation codes. Early beta testers report that a ride request rarely exceeds ten seconds.
For the moment, the service area covers downtown, Poto-Poto, Bacongo and the airport corridor. Expansion to Talangaï and suburban districts is scheduled once mapping is complete. The company says every neighbourhood will ultimately have at least ten Champions within five minutes at peak hours.
New services on the horizon
Looking ahead, Gozem hints at grocery delivery, bill payment and even tele-medicine inside the same interface, mirroring Chinese and Indian super-app playbooks. Dana insists, however, that “transport remains the engine” and that each new vertical will arrive only after local partnerships solidify.
If the Brazzaville rollout meets its targets, the company eyes Pointe-Noire, Dolisie and Oyo. For commuters like business student Anicette Ndinga, expectations are simple: “I just want a clean car that shows up on time.” From Sunday, the countdown begins.
Start-ups ride the momentum
Small business owner Léon Makaya sells fruit juice from a kiosk near Marché Total. He plans to upload daily stock onto Gozem’s forthcoming marketplace module. “If a driver can drop six litres to an office downtown, my revenue could double without extra rent,” he predicts.
Developers also sense opportunity. Congolese fintech start-ups may plug into Gozem’s API to process micro-loans, airtime or savings products. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy views the platform as a test bed for home-grown code that could later export across Central Africa.
