Omanghana
Ghanaian technology entrepreneur Nana Osei Afrifa is seeking to challenge established international ride-hailing companies with VaMijo, a locally developed mobility and delivery platform.
Afrifa, the group chief executive of Afrifanom formerly known as Vokacom believes global technology companies frequently struggle to address Africa’s transportation needs because they deploy standardised business models across markets with significantly different conditions.
VaMijo is positioning itself as a Ghana-focused alternative to multinational platforms such as Uber, Bolt and Yango, combining ride-hailing and courier services with Ghana’s National Digital Property Addressing System.
VaMijo Evolves From GhanaPostGPS
The service originally launched as Mijo, an integrated feature within the GhanaPostGPS application. Following a pilot program, it officially began commercial operations on May 1, 2026.
Afrifanom subsequently rebranded the service as VaMijo and introduced it as an independent application in July. Passengers no longer need to open GhanaPostGPS before booking a vehicle and can instead request rides directly through the dedicated VaMijo app.
The company said the transition was intended to simplify the booking process while giving the platform a distinct commercial identity.
Despite operating independently, VaMijo continues to use Ghana’s digital addressing infrastructure to improve the accuracy of passenger pickups, destinations and courier deliveries.
Company Reports Early Market Growth
Figures disclosed by the company indicate that VaMijo attracted thousands of passengers and drivers during its initial months of commercial operation.
The platform reported:
- 31,614 completed rides
- 10,857 registered customers
- More than 6,000 repeat passengers
- 3,350 registered drivers
- GH¢1.67 million, approximately $143,000, earned collectively by drivers
These figures have not been independently audited but indicate growing interest in a market already dominated by well-funded international operators.
Afrifanom later reported that the broader Mijo and VaMijo service had surpassed 100,000 completed trips following its May launch.
Driver-Focused Model Avoids Per-Trip Commissions
VaMijo is attempting to differentiate itself through a subscription-based model that allows drivers to retain their trip earnings instead of surrendering a percentage of every fare to the platform.
Ride-hailing drivers in Ghana have repeatedly complained about commission deductions, with some claiming that existing platforms take as much as 30% of their earnings.
VaMijo offers subscription options and a flexible arrangement that gives participating drivers greater control over their payments. The company believes this structure can improve driver income while keeping fares competitive for passengers.
Afrifa has said the platform does not intend to compete solely by offering the lowest fares or positioning itself as a premium service. Instead, its strategy centers on developing a product that reflects Ghanaian transportation patterns, payment preferences and location challenges.
Digital Addresses Could Improve Location Accuracy
One of VaMijo’s main advantages is its connection to GhanaPostGPS, the country’s official digital property addressing system.
Afrifanom, then operating as Vokacom, designed and developed the system after winning an international competitive tender. GhanaPostGPS assigns a unique digital address to every location in the country.
VaMijo uses the infrastructure to help drivers identify precise pickup and drop-off points, including communities where conventional street names, house numbers and map pins may be unreliable.
The same technology could benefit the platform’s delivery service by reducing failed pickups, incorrect destinations and time spent searching for customers.
Afrifa Sets Sights on African Expansion
Afrifa has described VaMijo’s long-term ambition as becoming the “next MTN” of African mobility—a reference to the telecommunications company’s expansion from a regional operator into one of the continent’s largest brands.
The company is exploring expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. Its strategy involves creating country-specific technology, management teams and operating models instead of duplicating the Ghanaian platform without modification.
Expansion into those markets would place VaMijo in direct competition with international mobility companies and emerging local operators. It would also require the company to navigate different regulations, payment systems, languages and urban transportation networks.
VaMijo remains a relatively young platform compared with Uber and Bolt, both of which possess extensive capital, established customer bases and international technology infrastructure.
However, its locally developed addressing system, driver-focused payment structure and knowledge of Ghana’s market could offer a foundation for growth. Its ability to retain users, maintain service quality and successfully expand beyond Ghana will determine whether it can become a major African mobility brand.
Source: Omanghana
