Chisom Anoke Speaks On Driving Africa’s Mobility Evolution

When Chisom Anoke joined Yango Group, he wasn’t just stepping into a leading tech company he was taking on a challenge that would test his ability to lead across borders, cultures, and business environments. In just a few years, he has helped steer Yango’s operations across multiple African markets, building local partnerships and adapting global models to local realities. His journey is one of steady progression, marked by a clear understanding of how technology and mobility intersect to create opportunity.

Anoke is the current Director of Operations for Anglophone and Lusophone Africa within Yango Group’s Ride Technology Business Unit. His work has been central to the company’s growth across the continent, shaping how technology empowers the transport sector in Africa.

CIO Africa caught up with Anoke as he spoke about his journey in the mobility sector, how Yango Group is revolutionizing the sector using technology.

“I work for a company called Yango,” he begins. “Yango Group is a technology company that has diverse technology businesses in its portfolio. I’m based in Nairobi and work for the ride-hailing division. I am responsible for expansion and supply operations in anglophone and Luso-speaking Africa.”

In this role, Chisom oversees operations across countries including Ghana, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Ethiopia, Angola, and Mozambique. He joined Yango three years ago, and during that time, his work has evolved from global expansion to driving operational excellence in specific regions.

“Previously, my remit was expansion and during this period, I played a key role in launching new markets, including Ethiopia, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique.,” he says.

He further hints at what lies ahead saying that Yango does have an appetite for future expansion, as there are a lot of other countries that could possibly benefit from the company’s services .

Across Africa, Yango’s name has become synonymous with ride-hailing , but the company’s ambitions extend far beyond transport.

“Yango Group as a business is a technology company that has a wide variety of different businesses. We offer B2B solutions, delivery, food delivery, navigation and so much more. In some of our markets, we already have the super app live. In Ivory Coast and Zambia, for instance, we have food, delivery, rides, and navigation,” Chisom explains.

The idea of a super app, he says, is integral to Yango’s vision of a connected ecosystem that serves users’ daily needs in one place.

“The goal is to gradually expand and launch these services, super app services, across our existing markets.”

Empowering Local Businesses, Not Replacing Them

For Anoke, one of his proudest achievements at Yango has been witnessing small transport companies transform through the platform’s model.

“Being able to go across different corners of Africa and bringing improved earning opportunities to our partners. Seeing small taxi companies or even individuals in the transport sector go from a small company of one to a fleet of a hundred-plus vehicles; that is something that makes me proud,” he says with visible pride.

Unlike traditional ride-hailing companies, Yango RIde’s approach is built on partnership rather than disruption.

“We do not deal directly with drivers,” Chisom explains. “We deal with transport businesses. For example, in Kenya, the ride-hailing apps will directly deal with drivers, but Yango meets companies that are already in the transport business and gives them a platform to onboard their own vehicles. Yango becomes the technology provider, and the company becomes the transport provider.”

This clear split, he says, ensures that technology empowers rather than displaces traditional businesses.

“With the entrance of ride-hailing companies in Kenya, the relevance and business of existing taxi companies started to reduce. But the Yango model provides our technology to any taxi or transport company that is willing to jump on board, and then we have a symbiotic relationship where we empower each other.”

That empowerment, for Anoke, goes beyond profit margins. He mentions this as a proud moment, the fact that he has been able to impact multiple lives and multiple businesses across the continent.

“As a proud son of the African continent, this is the kind of thing that excites me.”

Anoke believes Yango’s edge lies in understanding what it does best and leaving the rest to those who know their markets.

“We do not claim to know it all. Our strength lies in leveraging technology and driving user acquisition, while transport partners bring deep expertise in managing drivers and aggregating supply. That is one of our biggest advantages, being able to partner with local taxi companies. They know the terrain, they know the market peculiarities, and they know how to motivate drivers,” he says.

The second pillar of Yango’s strategic advantage is its technology. For instance the company leverages advanced mapping technologies and continuous improvements to optimize earnings and enhance service efficiency.

Lessons from Expansion Across Africa

Having launched Yango’s services in multiple countries, Anoke has learned that Africa is not a monolith.

“Each market has its own unique peculiarity. We tend to clusterize the continent and assume that if, for example, Kenyans and Tanzanians both speak Swahili, they would behave the same way, but that may not be the case,” he remarks.

He further cites Angola and Mozambique as an example, “They are both Lusophone-speaking countries with similar historical backgrounds, and you would assume you could deploy the same strategy, but this would not be the case. The learning here is that each market has its peculiarities, and we need strategies that have a global mindset but a localized feel and flavor.”

When he looks at the technologies shaping Africa’s mobility future, two areas stand out for Anoke: artificial intelligence and navigation.

“AI plays a huge part in almost every aspect of our life today. In terms of mobility, we leverage AI to optimize marketing costs, increase the speed of delivery, optimize routes and subsequently create earning opportunities for partner drivers,” Anoke says.

He also sees navigation as a game changer for Africa. Most of the continent is not properly mapped out from a navigation standpoint. Proper mapping solutions will take Africa to the next level in terms of digitalization.

Building Skills and Ecosystems

Beyond providing technology, Yango invests in ensuring that its partners can make the most of it.

“We provide them with technology, and we need to upskill them on its use,” Anoke explains. “We have key account managers whose responsibility is to ensure that the partner ecosystem understands how to use the technology. With every update, we make sure that they are educated and informed on how to get the best out of it.”

Looking ahead, Chisom envisions a future where Yango becomes a global benchmark for technological innovation and inclusion.

“In the next five years, I see Yango playing a leading role in accelerating the digitalisation of countries across the globe,” he says. “It’s not just about building technology, but about embedding digital solutions into everyday systems, so cities, businesses, and communities can operate more efficiently and more people can benefit from globally proven digital platforms.

That mission – to connect, empower, and elevate through technology, is what continues to drive him. His journey is a testament to what happens when purpose meets opportunity, and when innovation is guided by an understanding of local realities.

For Chisom Anoke, Africa’s mobility story is still being written, and he intends to keep steering it forward.