After the suspension of the on-demand transport company Yango in Cameroon last February, local engineers and the Cameroonian diaspora launched an alternative to fill the void left behind. 

On Monday, April 17, 2023, a new digital car and cab booking service launched its activities in Cameroon. Deployed by the start-up Intelart Technology founded by Lamine Nyamoutet, Ongo is currently available in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala. It facilitates urban and interurban travel in Cameroon.

“We will initially offer our services in the political and economic capitals but we plan to extend the services to all the 10 regions in Cameroon,”  said Didier Ndengue, Intelart Technology’s public relations officer.  

The solution has a mobile app -Android and iOS apps- through which users can register and access its services. With the account, a user can choose his/her destination. The app will then suggest the driver closer to the departure point and, if the user agrees with the estimated fare, he/she can confirm the trip.  

The transport fare depends on the type of vehicle chosen. Apart from on-demand transport services, Ongo also offers vehicle rental services for events such as weddings and family celebrations. Several types of vehicles are available for rent, depending on users’ financial capabilities.

Since its launch, the Android version of the mobile application has already been downloaded over a thousand times. Despite competition from Gozem, Ongo is on track to possibly fill the void left by Yango, which was suspended by Cameroonian authorities last February.  

Adoni Conrad Quenum