Messenger, a one-stop logistics platform that finances and aggregates end-to-end logistics and supply chain operations, recently secured an undisclosed amount of funding in a pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Nama Ventures, a prominent investor in MENA tech startups, with participation from Aidi Ventures and notable Angels. The specific investment amount remains undisclosed. The primary objective of this funding is to provide Messenger with the necessary capital to support its growth and expansion plans, particularly in establishing a strong presence in the last mile logistics market in Africa.

Reasons for Investment:

There are several key reasons why investors were enticed to invest in Messenger. In the first place, the last mile logistics market in Africa holds tremendous potential. The continent’s logistics infrastructure is still developing, and there is a growing demand for efficient and reliable delivery services. This is largely driven by the rise in e-commerce activities. With the e-commerce market in Africa projected to reach at least $29 billion by 2022, as reported by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and with the Nigerian e-commerce industry alone valued at $9 billion with an annual growth rate of 11.74%, according to Statista, investors recognized the vast market opportunity that Messenger can tap into.

Again, the founders of Messenger, Essien Etuk and Amanda Etuk, possess a wealth of expertise and track record in the industry. Amanda Etuk has over 10 years of experience in healthcare, FMCG, and logistics, having held senior positions at fast-growing startups such as 54gene and Zippy Logistics (now Loft Africa). On the other hand, Essien Etuk brings seven years of experience in operations management and served as the founding president of the Abuja Logistics Operators Association, acting as a bridge between regulators and operators in the city. Additionally, Essien Etuk played a significant role in driving The Nigeria Startup Act. The investors were impressed by the founders’ domain expertise, complementary skill sets, and their proven ability to navigate the logistics industry.

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Furthermore, investors were attracted to Messenger’s vision and potential to disrupt the market. As a one-stop logistics platform, Messenger aims to revolutionize last mile deliveries across Africa, city by city. By providing financing and aggregating end-to-end logistics and supply chain operations, Messenger offers a comprehensive solution to address the logistics challenges in the region. With its recent launch of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and transition to a digital platform, Messenger is well-positioned to acquire new customers and significantly increase its revenue.

A Look at Messenger:

Messenger was founded in 2018 by Essien Etuk and Amanda Etuk. The startup is headquartered in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, and primarily operates in Africa. It serves as a one-stop logistics platform that finances and aggregates end-to-end logistics and supply chain operations. Over the years, Messenger has successfully completed more than 700,000 deliveries for esteemed clients, including Jumia Food, Omnibiz, DHL, Glovo, and Shopex TV. With its recent transition to a digital platform and the ambitious goal of acquiring 100,000 new customers within the next 12 months, Messenger aims to become a key player in the African logistics industry.

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Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert. 
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard