Tubayo is presenting a huge opportunity that millions of Africans can tap into. The tech company currently has 3 products allowing anyone to monetize tourism, entrepreneurship, and real estate markets.
Tubayo Homes is solving the problem of limited selection of affordable accommodation spaces in various travel destinations. The homes also give numerous youths a chance to earn through Tubayo by listing their extra accommodation space on the platform.
On the other hand, Tubayo Experiences is about travel excursions/activities curated around culture, adventure, sports among others. The traditional way of thinking about travel activities focuses only on safari trips & travel out of Uganda which is a huge limitation to domestic tourism. Tubayo experiences expose a wider selection of travel activities hosted by everyday people that all local and international travellers can indulge in.
Lastly, Tubayo Events is the go-to place for all travel stay needs. Travellers are able to discover and book events happening in areas not far from their current location. In an interview with the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Drani Joseph, we find out how the business is pushing boundaries in entrepreneurship and allowing women to thrive.
Qn. Where did the name Tubayo come from?
Tubayo is a tech company operating exclusively online. The word Tubayo is a Bantu word that means “we are there” which is the reason we took it on as the Brand name. Our promise to our users is that you will be able to plan all your travel needs and book your travel destinations across Africa on Tubayo. Basically We are there where you are & plan to to go.
Qn. Do you think that Tubayo being online has helped break down the barriers that stop women from entering entrepreneurship and business? If so then how?
Absolutely yes! Technology is the solution to increased unemployment and Tubayo is leveraging it to give equal entrepreneurial opportunities to everyone. Given that 65% of Tubayo users are female, this explains how exciting the future of women is taking shape. This is also hope to all other women sceptical on embarking on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Qn. How many women averagely interact with the company’s services for business and how many have you worked with so far?
Statistics show that women constitute 65% of all Tubayo users bringing the number to about 16,000 women. This is both hosts and active users of the platform.
Qn. Women entrepreneurship is soaring around the world, what do you think that means for the future of Africa?
That is the greatest news for Africa as a continent as for us to grow massively as a continent, we need maximum inclusivity across all sectors.
Qn. How can we onboard more Ugandan women into entrepreneurship?
First, by highlighting the success stories of profound women in entrepreneurship. People generally like to venture in something they’ve seen Hope in and all this hope in entrepreneurship can highly be instigated by the successful figures.
The other suggestion will be early sensitization of women about the great opportunities that underlie in entrepreneurship. This should happen in early education stages given that most women bend towards entrepreneurship after university majorly because it’s when they get access to knowledge about entrepreneurship.
Qn. How is Tubayo making space for women to thrive and what can other companies copy from that?
Tubayo is presenting tools that women can use to grow as well as actualize their entrepreneurial dreams. This is happening through the opportunity of women listing their house or experience on Tubayo which later earns them passive income. Tubayo also holds monthly market days where thousands of people in the Tubayo community come together to support over, constantly, 100 women in business. The Tubayo market day presents networking opportunities, sales opportunities and business growth opportunity to all the women who actively take part in the monthly market days.
Other companies should tune their activities towards contributing to growth of their users/community members. This in turn enables the users to support the company in whichever way they can.
Qn. What do you think hinders women from entering the entrepreneurship space?
Fear & self-doubt are suffocating the entrepreneurial spirits amongst women. Women need to believe and be constantly reminded that they can do it too.
Qn. What does the future of Tubayo look like?
The future of Tubayo is enabling over a million users to utilize the tools our platform presents to make business.
Qn. What more opportunities can women and youth exploit in your company?
Youths and all women should trust in the power of technology and therefore list all their extra accommodation space as well as any travel experiences on Tubayo. And for all those running small businesses, they should always be ready to participate in the monthly Tubayo Market days in order to see acute business growth.
Find out more about Tubayo here
