It was while trying to find
70 trucks in Kenya to
move a consignment out
of the Port of Mombasa to
the hinterland that Sofia
Getambu had an idea.
“I realised I would have
to call about 700 transport
companies to try and find
the number of trucks the
client would need. It was a
near impossible task and
highlighted the difficulty in
finding reputable hauliers
in this manner,” she recalls.
Today Getambu is the
CEO of the East African
Online Transport Agency
in Kenya, a company
that provides tailored
transportation services – all
done digitally.
“To move cargo more
efficiently and more
cost effectively we have
implemented a complete
digital solution,” she says.
“This has addressed some
of the real challenges that
transporters face. One
day you are having to move
huge volumes of cargo only
to be faced with lack of
sufficient cargo loads for
weeks on end immediately
thereafter. At the same
time low rates and delayed
payments have real impact
on hauliers.”
She said all of this
increased the cost of
transport dramatically
while it also resulted in an
inefficient service.
“It led to the
establishment of EAOTA
which has introduced
convenience and security.”
She said the agency
utilised an online platform
to link shippers to
transporters.
“The platform enables
the fast, efficient and costeffective
movement of
cargo in Eastern Africa by
providing key stakeholders
with just-in-time leads for
transport and cargo,” she
says.
