YES sets sail: MENA market entry, Asian alliances await

In a move set to redefine the logistics landscape in the Middle East and North Africa, Yobante Express (YES), Africa’s pioneering logistics technology start-up, announced its strategic alliance with SAPRESS Logistique & Messagerie, a subsidiary of the Edito Group.

This ground-breaking collaboration will extend YES’s influence into the thriving Moroccan and MENA market while enabling SAPRESS’s entry into the burgeoning Sub-Saharan African market.

YES, under the visionary leadership of co-founder and CEO Oumar Basse, has revolutionised regional logistics by blending ancient wisdom with cutting-edge technology. The company integrates a 5 000-year-old form of shipment with a state-of-the-art technology platform, ensuring unparalleled efficiency, affordability, and speed in deliveries within cities, between cities, and across countries.

Its extensive network spans over 24 African markets, with 11 offices and a resilient mesh network of more than 4 000 hubs and 3 500 carriers. This network guarantees faster, cost-effective, secure, and trackable deliveries, catering to a diverse spectrum of e-commerce, retailers, enterprises, and individuals.

SAPRESS Logistique & Messagerie – a result of the merger between Sapress and Sochepress – carries a rich legacy dating back to the 1920s. With significant backing from major institutional and financial entities in Morocco, including Banque Populaire, CIMR, and Mamda, the Edito Group stands as a formidable force in the logistics sector.

The collaboration between YES and SAPRESS Logistique & Messagerie is anticipated to facilitate over 2 000 daily deliveries within the initial months, marking a transformative milestone for both companies.

The pilot phase, set to commence in November 2023, aims to enhance its potential further with the active involvement of Blassa, a 500 Global-backed company addressing the challenge of delivery failures across the Middle East & Africa.

Blassa, with its streamlined address verification and enhanced delivery information, offers precise drop-offs through its vast network of shoppers with verified profiles. By overcoming the issue of recipient location ambiguity, it plays a vital role in ensuring successful deliveries, mitigating losses, and boosting customer satisfaction.

Basse says YES’s ambitions extend beyond MENA, with the company venturing into the Southeast Asian market through a pioneering pilot project in Vietnam. This move cements YES’s status as the first African tech logistics company to scale its operations in Southeast Asia, marking a historic moment in the industry.

Furthermore, YES is actively pursuing its Series A funding round, aiming to propel the company to new heights and realise its ambitious goals. As it continues its expansion, it remains dedicated to reshaping the logistics industry through innovative approaches and strategic partnerships.

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