In a major leap for African tech, Treepz, one of Africa’s fastest-growing mobility startups, has launched operations in Canada, signaling a bold step in its global expansion. The event, held at City Hall in Brampton, Ontario, was graced by Mayor Patrick Brown and marked by the announcement of Treepz’s first Canadian corporate client—a two-year partnership with the University of Toronto-sponsored African Impact Initiative.
CEO Onyeka Akumah described the move as a reaffirmation that African startups can build globally relevant and reputable brands from the ground up, beginning with Lagos.Treepz, founded in 2019 to streamline chaotic urban transport in Nigeria, now operates in 25 cities across five countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Canada, with over six million users served.
Its Canadian expansion follows a strategic buildup that began with participation in the 2021 Techstars Toronto accelerator program, leading to engagements with Canadian investors and institutions such as the World Trade Center’s Black Entrepreneurship Alliance and Brampton Entrepreneurs program. Akumah noted that the company’s ethos of humility and drive still powers its ambition, even as it breaks into the North American market.
The partnership with the African Impact Initiative will see Treepz manage end-to-end corporate travel logistics—covering flights, accommodations, local transport, and curated experiences—for delegations traveling annually to South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.
This collaboration highlights Treepz’s readiness to deliver complex mobility solutions while validating its operational excellence and scalability. Mayor Brown praised the company’s growth and grit, saying, “If you can handle traffic in Lagos, you can handle it anywhere in the world,” and officially welcomed Treepz to Brampton as a valuable addition to the city’s innovation ecosystem.
Treepz’s arrival in Canada is more than a business milestone; it is a testament to the global potential of African-founded startups. With a vision to become a trusted corporate travel partner, Treepz is inviting more institutions to leverage its technology-backed mobility services.
Akumah concluded by thanking longtime supporters and partners who made the expansion possible, affirming that while Treepz is now serving two continents, its journey is far from over. “This is just the beginning,” he said, “African innovation is not only participating in the future—it’s shaping it.”