Waga Express Enters Scene with 24-Hour Delivery Service to Regional Cities

A new addition to the Ethiopian logistics sector, Zobel Technology, has launched Waga Express, a courier service provider aiming to enhance express mail and last-mile delivery services in the country.

Launched a month and a half ago, Waga provides express mail service (EMS) to regional cities such as Bahirdar, Gonder, and Mekelle, with deliveries completed within 24 hours for domestic shipments.

According to Dagmawi Fitsum, founder and CEO of Zobel Technology, their service also includes last-mile delivery options within Addis Ababa, the capital city. Currently, Waga Express employs 10 couriers who use electric bikes to navigate urban areas efficiently.

“We aim to fill the gap in Ethiopia’s logistics sector by providing reliable and efficient courier and delivery options,” said Dagmawi.

Their express mail service, meanwhile, is a result of their partnership with Ethiopian Airlines. The partnership, according to Dagmawi, was the most crucial step in launching their express mail service.

“Securing a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines took time, but it (will) allow us to expand domestic deliveries to all Ethiopian Airlines’ destinations by leveraging the airline’s vast network,” Dagmawi told Shega.

Customers can access Waga Express services through various channels, including a hotline at 9828 and the company’s website. Additionally, the company plans to launch a mobile application within the next month.

Developing this logistics system took six months. The startup offers several features, including a tracking system that allows customers to track their packages and receive support. Upon shipment, customers get a unique tracking number they can use on a system to see the location of their package.

In an effort to provide added convenience, Waga Express also provides door-to-door service. This means they pick up packages from the sender’s location and deliver them directly to the recipient.

Currently, they serve over 150 users with both regional and local deliveries. The minimum price for regional shipments starts at 250 birr and 80 birr per kilogram, and there are no weight limits.

Meanwhile, in Addis Ababa, the courier service costs 200 birr for deliveries within a 5 km radius and 15 birr per km beyond that.

With a team of 10 couriers, five physical locations (two in Addis Ababa and three in regional cities), and a partnership with Africa’s largest airline, Waga is growing its customer base and plans to expand its express mail service to cover all domestic destinations served by Ethiopian Airlines in the future, while a deal with DHL is underway to enable international shipment.

Established in 2020, Zobel Technology is a tech company that specializes in providing custom software solutions, web development, and mobile app development.