Meanwhile, Treepz has moved over five million passengers across multiple African markets and gone on to offer flight bookings to 210+ global destinations through its integrated travel platform. 

Those figures reveal scale, but let’s take a closer look at how these two Nigerian‑born mobility brands compare on strategy, product, impact, technology and future potential.

1. Origins and Strategic Intent

Shuttlers was built to solve daily commuting problems in mega‑cities like Lagos and Abuja. Its core was a reliable, scheduled, app‑based bus service for commuters and corporate staff. 

Over time, it has stayed true to that mission, focusing on efficiency, safety and sustainability in urban mobility.

Treepz started with a similar aim, solving everyday transport pain points, but it expanded quickly into a wider platform. 

From corporate employee transport to rentals, cross‑border trips and now flight bookings, Treepz has been deliberately evolving into a full travel ecosystem rather than just a shuttle service.

The key difference is in breadth. Shuttlers remains specialised and focused; Treepz has become wide‑ranging in ambition.

Startup Reality Check: ‘Unpredictability is the Competition,’ Shuttlers Co-Founder Tells Founders at U-Law Black Friday

2. Core Product Areas

Shuttlers

• Daily commuter services on fixed routes
• Corporate partnerships for scheduled staff transport
• Vehicle rentals
• Focus on safety and reliability
• Increasing fleet electrification and alternative fuels (EV, CNG)

Shuttlers has intentionally kept its product tight to ensure reliability and operational excellence. Its daily timetable model has made it predictable and trusted for regular commuters. 

Treepz

• Employee transport services
• Vehicle rentals (corporate and personal)
• Long‑distance shuttles
• Cross‑border travel
• Flight booking to 210+ destinations
• Event and group travel packages

Treepz’s product set now bridges ground mobility and full travel services, with flights expanding its reach far beyond the daily commute. 

This makes Treepz a one‑stop travel platform, but it also adds complexity in execution and customer experience.

3. Market Reach and Scale

Shuttlers is very strong in Nigeria’s primary urban corridors. Its daily commuter base is large and consistent, which gives it a solid foundation.

Treepz operates in multiple African countries and continues expanding. River‑to‑ocean routes, cross‑border trips and corporate deployments across regions show a geographical and functional breadth that Shuttlers does not yet match.

Treepz’s expansion into global flight bookings is a commendable differentiator. It reveals a strategic focus from mobility to more needed travel services.

4. Business Models and Revenue Streams

Shuttlers

Revenue is primarily generated from:

• Daily commuter fares (individual and corporate)
• Corporate contracts (steady B2B income)
• Optimised route utilisation

Shuttlers’ model is usage‑based but anchored to daily commuting patterns, giving it dependable demand.

Treepz

Revenue sources include:

• Corporate transport services
• On‑demand rentals
• Long‑distance shuttles
• Flight bookings and related travel services

The diversity helps Treepz capture multiple customer segments, from everyday commuters to business travellers.

“Lagos Was Our Proving Ground”: Treepz CEO Onyeka Akumah on Taking African Mobility Global

5. Sustainability and Impact

Both companies have built themselves as part of the solution to urban congestion and pollution.

Shuttlers emphasises its environmental value through:

• Expansion of CNG buses
• Introduction of electric vehicles
• Reported carbon mitigation and cost savings in operations

In 2025 alone, Shuttlers estimated saving over 170,000 kg of CO₂ emissions while cutting operating expenses by more than half through alternative energy vehicles. 

Treepz, through shared rides and rentals, has also contributed to reduced carbon emissions historically and enhanced access to safer transport. Its footprint in multiple countries shows an ability to influence transport habits at scale.

6. Safety, Reliability and Customer Experience

Shuttlers reports a safety rate of 99.94% accident‑free across its operations, a solid claim in urban mobility where risk is a daily concern. 

Treepz’s focus has been on platform reliability across different modes of transport. It has built a large marketplace of vetted vehicles and drivers, giving corporate clients confidence in delivery at scale.

Customer experience differs by intent:

• Shuttlers is about predictable, scheduled rides.
• Treepz provides choice and flexibility, which can be a strength or a complexity depending on the user.

7. Positioning in a Competitive Sector

Shuttlers is unique for consistency and specialisation. Its core value is in being a dependable workhorse for daily mobility.

Treepz stands out for product breadth and growth vision. Not many African mobility companies have confidently moved into full technology‑driven travel services that include flights.

In the urban transport sector, where ride‑hailing giants and informal transit compete, Shuttlers’ focused model gives clarity, while Treepz’s broad platform creates options.

8. Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

Shuttlers

Opportunities

• Deeper fleet electrification
• Expansion beyond current cities
• Stronger corporate contracting

Challenges

• Keeping up service reliability at scale
• Managing cost stress in fuel and operations

Treepz

Opportunities

• Growing travel services
• Cross‑border mobility solutions
• Partnerships with airlines and corporations

Challenges

• Platform complexity
• Customer experience across services
• Maintaining quality control with diverse offerings

9. What Next? A Strategic Summary

Shuttlers is strong in focus, it is a service that commuters and corporate partners can point to confidently. It has built strong strength where many others have tried and failed.

Treepz is strong in scope, its platform aims far beyond the city to the continent and the globe. That breadth gives it high potential, but also requires tight execution.

We’ve watched both brands grow over the last few years. Shuttlers has enhanced and worked tirelessly on what it does until it gets dependable. Treepz continually stretches into new territories, boosting how mobility and travel can connect in a single ecosystem.

Both Shuttlers and Treepz are bolstering how people move, both in Nigeria and across Africa. And the competition between focus and breadth will surely determine the scale of shared mobility on the continent.

The post Shuttlers vs Treepz: Head‑to‑Head in Africa’s Mobility Revolution appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Moderated by Pamela Onah, senior associate at U-Law, the session, titled “Building Big in Naija: Behind the Scenes of a Scaling Success Story”, revisited how Shuttlers has helped thousands of Lagos workers survive the city’s demanding commute. 

Okafor expatiated the startup’s survival instincts and the realities of building a transport-tech business in Nigeria’s unpredictable environment.

A Business Built From a Chevron Internship Shock

Recounting Shuttlers’ beginnings, Okafor explained how the idea originated from co-founder Damilola Olokesusi’s early experience at Chevron. She enjoyed the stability of corporate staff buses during her internship, but once it ended, the challenges of public transport hit hard. 

That led to the foundational question; Why shouldn’t other companies enjoy the same quality of staff mobility without owning buses?

He said, “Perhaps there could be a way that companies can benefit from the value that comes with providing a relationship, but why not necessarily incurring the overhead?” 

By 2019, both founders aligned, and in 2020 they began building technology systems to scale a problem everyone recognised but no one had solved.

Nigeria’s Challenges: Drivers, Fleet Partners and the Disarray of Transport

On the toughest part of Shuttlers’ growth journey, which Okafor revealed as supply-side instability, he said: “We’re selling reliability,” he noted, “but to make it work in an environment like ours, it’s just difficult.”

Shuttlers built an entire operational framework from scratch, onboarding tests, performance monitoring, back-office processes, psychometric assessments, marshals for high-capacity buses, and real-time trip management. Redundancies were added everywhere because the business could fail in seconds.

Mobility, he stressed, is politically sensitive. “You can’t do it without understanding the plans of the government or the laws that exist,” he warned. 

In Lagos, Shuttlers even co-created its regulatory category with the Ministry of Transportation.

Fundraising: Showing Investors You Understand the Nigerian Problem

Shuttlers raised $1.6m in 2021 and $4m in 2023, but Okafor made one thing clear; the money was won on operational discipline, not pitch decks.

Investors wanted proof of order in a famously disorderly sector. So the founders demonstrated the seven-stakeholder ecosystem, clear unit economics, and the ability to track every vehicle, driver, partner, and passenger activity end-to-end.

For him, honesty and realism were important: “You have to be grounded in reality… but you also have to be an optimist.”

He emphasised founder-investor fit, choosing investors who understand real-sector problems, not just technology.

When Tinubu Announced Fuel Subsidy Removal — “A Crazy Week”

On inauguration day, when the President declared “subsidy is gone”, Shuttlers faced immediate problems:

• Fleet partners panicked about high fuel prices.
• Corporate clients insisted on two weeks’ notice for any price change.
• Drivers threatened to abandon routes.

Shuttlers responded by securing bulk fuel ahead of market shocks. “We went to filling stations… and loaded them with upfront money so that they’ll be able to give us fuel when we need it.”

That move stabilised partners long enough to renegotiate with corporate clients. Having strong legal contracts, including force majeure, prevented business-crippling issues.

“That was a crazy week. Sleepless nights,” he recalled.

Building for the Long Term: Hiring, Systems and Staying Grounded

On how founders can build sustainably without burning out, Okafor admitted it’s still a learning curve. His biggest regret? Hiring too quickly in the early years.

He said founders must design roles clearly, assign measurable KPIs, and avoid the fantasy that “the right hire will magically solve everything.” 

He explained how Shuttlers now operates with precise ratios: how many operations staff per number of trips, how customer service scales with demand, and how to predict problems before they occur.

Advice to Founders: Entropy Is the Competition

“The biggest competition that you have in Nigeria, the sheer fact that it’s unorganised. Anything can come from anywhere, that’s your competition.”

Only founders with the stamina for constant uncertainty can survive.

The One National Reform He Wants

At the U-Law Black Friday event, Okafor was asked the one thing he’d like to change. He said that would be to create a national registry for commercial drivers, with clear identity, history, and penalties: “So that any problem you see today will not be inherited by the next generation.”

On Pricing, Profitability and Scaling with Debt

Shuttlers aims to remain affordable while becoming gross-margin positive. The real capital burden is the vehicles, which the company does not own. To grow its fleet beyond the current 457 vehicles, Shuttlers is now working with debt financiers to fund asset acquisition for its top-performing partners.

Managing Dispatch Riders: Incentives, Telemetry and Zero Tolerance for Indiscipline

Okafor also advised founders running dispatch-dependent businesses. He pressed on three things:

• Use incentives tied to performance.
• Invest in telemetry to track behaviour.
• Remove riders who break rules like switching off devices or deviating from routes.

At the U-Law Black Friday event, Okafor explained further, “The cost of not getting it right is much more expensive.”

Nigeria’s business terrain is not for the faint-hearted, but with structure, honesty, deep operational discipline and relentless problem-solving, it is still possible to build big in the country.

The post Startup Reality Check: ‘Unpredictability is the Competition,’ Shuttlers Co-Founder Tells Founders at U-Law Black Friday appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

For Lagos commuters, fuel prices are a constant stress and this change brings a welcome relief. “This move wasn’t just a decision—it was about making a real impact for us, our customers, and the environment,” said Damilola Olokesusi, CEO of Shuttlers. 

The startup, which enables professionals to book shared transport via its mobile app, is working to ensure sustainable mobility in Nigeria.

Beyond cost savings, the CNG fleet has improved service availability. In Q1, these buses completed 1,484 trips, moving 19,292 passengers—4% of Shuttlers’ total user trips. 

Commuters have reported smoother rides and better seat quality, reiterating the startup’s focus on both sustainability and passenger comfort.

On the environmental front, switching to CNG has enabled Shuttlers to prevent the release of nearly 24 metric tons of CO₂. If this trend continues, the company expects to cut 94 metric tons annually—greatly lowering its carbon footprint in Lagos’ notoriously polluted transport sector.

As with any alternative fuel, there are issues about CNG safety. Many Nigerians worry about explosions, leaks, and structural risks. Olokesusi addressed this directly: “The CNG canisters are fireproof and equipped with automatic fire extinguishers that activate instantly in the rare event of a fire.” 

She added that the company’s quality assurance team conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance with strict safety standards. So far, every trip taken in a CNG vehicle has been incident-free.

Shuttlers is looking ahead to expanding its fleet with more CNG and electric vehicles in the coming months. With expensive fuel prices, the startup’s push for cleaner, more affordable transport would greatly bolster mobility in Lagos.

For commuters seeking a balance between cost, convenience, and sustainability, Shuttlers’ transition to CNG-powered transport may be the beginning of a much-needed change in Nigeria’s urban mobility sector.

The post Shuttlers Launches 20 CNG Buses in Lagos, Cuts Commuter Costs by 29% appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The event brought together diverse range of traditional entrepreneurs, startup founders, industry experts and thought leaders for a transformative experience of learning, earning, networking, and collaboration.

At the Trade Lenda Fair, a plethora of products, services, and innovative solutions across various industries were showcased. The exhibitors came from across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Kwara state, reflecting the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and creativity that defines SMEs in Nigeria.

One of the key highlights of the event was the keynote address by the Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who shared his journey of entrepreneurship from 1979 till date. 

Several masterclasses were conducted by industry leaders and subject-matter experts within the SME ecosystem in Nigeria. These in-depth workshops on starting, financing, marketing and systems development provided participants with actionable insights, practical strategies, and knowledge essential for driving their business growth and adapting to evolving market trends.

The panel sessions, another feature of the event, was facilitated by notable SME brands and SMEs enablers who shared their stories, expertise, valuable insights and perspectives on subjects such as starting, scaling, digitalizing and leveraging interventions. The deep dive conversations served as interactive dialogue, sparking new ideas and approaches that have the potential to reshape the SME landscape.

Another high point was the award of prizes to the tune of N5 million to the top five winners of the pitch competition. The first prize winner (Posh Meals) also won an all-expense trip to Qatar.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response and outcome of the Trade Lenda Fair,” said Adeshina Adewumi, CEO, Trade Lenda and Convener of the Trade Lenda Fair.

“The event provided a unique opportunity for SMEs to connect, learn, and collaborate. The masterclasses and panel sessions, in particular, empowered attendees with the knowledge and inspiration needed to elevate their businesses to new heights.”

He further added that “the success of Trade Lenda Fair can be attributed to the unwavering support of our sponsors: Providus, Eazipay, RedCloud, Paystack and our partners Techeconomy, Credo, Baobab+, Lagos Business School, Shuttlers, Niteon, Changera, Money Africa, LSETF, TechNext, TechCabal and TechPoint. Their collective enthusiasm and dedication have created an environment of innovation and growth, contributing to the event’s impact on the SME ecosystem.”

The Trade Lenda Fair has set a new benchmark for facilitating meaningful interactions, fostering learning, and igniting inspiration within the SME community in Nigeria. As the curtains draw on this year’s event, the organizers look forward to building on this success and continuing to empower SMEs with opportunities and solutions that propel them towards prosperity.

More about Trade Lenda

It is Nigeria’s premier digital lending fintech brand and the Trade Lenda Fair is an annual flagship platform that brings together SMEs, industry experts, and stakeholders to showcase their offerings, share knowledge, and foster collaboration., the event aims to empower SMEs with the tools, insights, and connections needed to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

The post Trade Lenda Fair as a Platform for SMEs to Start, Scale and Soar appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Other investors who participated in the round were VestedWorld, the lead investor in Shuttlers’ $1.6 million round 18 months ago, SheEquity, CMC 21 & Alsa, and EchoVC. This takes the mobility startup’s total funding amount to $5.6 million.

The funding will be used to enhance Shuttlers’ technology while building infrastructure to power its mass transit business, enabling employee transportation for more corporates and increasing its market share as it expands to other cities within Nigeria. The startup also seeks to hire more talent in its sales, marketing and customer support departments.

Including enabling employees seamlessly book seats on one of the buses along predetermined and scheduled routes, Shuttlers provides live bus tracking, optimal routing based on traffic, digital payments, and ride schedules. Its offerings also three payment plans which include companies paying full fares for employees, companies splitting fares with employees, and individual customers paying fares themselves. These fares range from N850 (~$1.96) and N1300 (~$2.60).

Since its last seed round in 2021, Shuttlers has increased its over 100 buses assigned to 30 routes across Lagos State, to almost 260 buses going through 300 routes across Lagos and Abuja daily. Its clientele is made up of more than 80 companies, including Interswitch, MainOne and Paga, and has helped the company record 3 million trips so far, with 70,000 users having taken a ride on its platform.

Founded by Damilola Olokesusi in 2016, Shuttlers affirms to have built an infrastructure that allows its expansion into different geographies within and outside Nigeria. The company supports multiple stakeholders, from partners and drivers to marshals, as well as administrative bodies. 

The post Shuttlers Raises $4 Million in Expansion Drive appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

With the objective to contribute to narrowing this gap, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), launched in 2019 the initiative eTrade for Women, which empowers women digital entrepreneurs based in developing countries to help them become changemakers in their societies.

Rebeca Grynspan, the head of the organization made women empowerment a priority for the organization; she says “As UNCTAD’s Secretary-General, I commit to putting women’s empowerment at the heart of our work” (International Women’s Day, UNCTAD) .

Each year, UNCTAD nominates influential women entrepreneurs leaders in their region, the eTrade for Women Advocates, to inspire future generations to follow their path and create more awareness of the challenges faced by women digital entrepreneurs.

For the year 2022-2023, among the five outstanding women nominated, Damilola Olokesusi, the founder of Shuttlers in Nigeria, was selected to represent Anglophone Africa. 

Shuttlers is currently one the fastest growing technology-driven transportation start-up and is revolutionizing the way professionals and organizations commute in busy cities of Africa.

The company is also experiencing exponential growth as it just raised $1.6m seed funding to expand to new countries of the continent.

To support women entrepreneurs, eTrade for Women regularly organizes Masterclasses, which are unique empowering events that combine learning sessions, inspirational moments with influential leaders, networking opportunities and Policy Dialogues.

Further to the Masterclass, the opportunities to join eTrade for Women Communities, a global network that enables women entrepreneurs to interact with like-minded peers. The members of the Communities also benefit from the support of the United Nations to develop their skills, grow their businesses and ultimately impact their ecosystem.

For the first time, the eTrade for Women initiative is being organized in Nigeria, a free Masterclass for women digital entrepreneurs based in Anglophone Africa. The event titled ‘Scaling Up Women-Led Digital Businesses, An Opportunity for Africa’s Development’ will be set up in collaboration with Damilola and will take place in Lagos from the 6th to the 9th of December. It promises to be innovative and enlightening.

The call for applications is now open.

This Masterclass is for you if;

· You are a woman, and you are the founder/co-founder of your business.

· You have a track record of 2 to 5 years in this role.

· Innovative technologies and digital tools are at the heart of your business model and operations.

· You are based in one of the following countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda.

· You want to make a difference and impact your ecosystem.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply here. Applications will close on 9 September 2022 11.59 pm.

eTrade for Women benefits from the support of Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.

The post Damilola Olokesusi of Shuttlers to Lead Masterclass on UN eTrade for Women Advocates appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The collaboration will enable Redeemers to enjoy safe, affordable, and comfortable shuttle rides on over 400 routes, from 98 provinces in Lagos to the campgrounds of RCCG.

Shuttlers and RCCG partnership will kickstart ahead of RCCG’s 70th Annual Convention, scheduled for Monday 8th of August 2022.

Through the new transport partnership, Shuttlers will help improve transport operations for RCCG and the shuttle experience for its members while reducing congestion in Lagos and carbon footprint.

“We are excited to kickstart this partnership with Shuttlers which will help improve the typical transportation experience for our members who will be attending the 70th Annual Convention,” said Pastor Adeolu Adeboye, Chief Operating Officer RCCG Traffic Mayors and LASTMA Traffic Mayor. “Some of our members have had hectic commuting experiences in past conventions, and we believe this partnership will improve the general experience of this year’s convention and subsequent events.” according to Pastor Okey Mofunanya, Security Adviser to the General Overseer, RCCG Worldwide.

In Lagos, congestion costs the economy more than 14 million USD per day, and it is not atypical for most residents to spend over two hours traveling just eight kilometers to the Redemption Camp. Attendees of the 70th Annual Convention can schedule rides with Shuttlers’ mobile application from the comfort of their homes. Members who book successfully ahead of the convention date will get the opportunity to enjoy a hassle- and stress-free transport experience to and from the RCCG campgrounds.

“We are providing software and assets to ease operations, enabling real-time bus tracking and transforming the transport experience of members visiting the camp,” said Damilola Olokesusi, Shuttlers CEO.

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