Nigerian pioneer bike-hailing startup, MAX.ng, yesterday released a tweet on its official account hinting at what might be the launch of a tricycle hailing service called MAX Keke, in Lagos.
Tawa is Smart💪
Tawa is a MAX Keke Champion
Now she’s got financial freedom!!!
Be smart, Be like Tawa#MAXOKADA #MAXKEKE #Champion #transportation #livinginlagos #startups #premiumbikes pic.twitter.com/LbOAY1v6yo— MAX (@maxdrive_ai) August 21, 2019
Although the tweet has gotten little attention, there are reasons to believe that MAX might be serious with the launch of MAX Keke.
Early in the month of June, MAX raised $7 million investment for expansion. Tricycle service was indeed one of the verticals MAX hoped to expand to with the funds raised.
Beyond that, there's the possibility that MAX's hand may have been forced by Opera Mini-backed startup, OPay, which has already launched its keke service, OTrike, not just in Aba but also in Kano.
The e-mobility space in Nigeria has been at the peak of competitiveness lately, and it's a no-brainer that MAX Keke is looking to quickly gain a foothold in a market overlooked by OPay.
Techpoint has reached out to MAX and still awaits confirmation on the exact situation with MAX Keke. But for now, it's best to say that nothing is certain.
