African mobility startup Treepz has officially launched operations in Canada, marking its entry into the North American market with a flagship client — the University of Toronto’s African Impact Initiative.
The launch was hosted at Brampton City Hall, with the city’s mayor, Patrick Brown, publicly endorsing the move.
Why it matters
Treepz’s expansion into Canada underscores the global ambitions of African tech startups and highlights growing cross-border mobility needs.
The company now operates in 25 cities across 5 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Canada — and has served over 6 million customers since its founding in 2019.
“If you can handle traffic in Lagos, you can handle traffic anywhere,” said Mayor Brown, praising the startup’s founders as “brilliant entrepreneurs.”
Catch up Quick
- Treepz previously participated in the Techstars Toronto accelerator in 2021.
- The company has attracted Canadian investors to fuel its growth across Africa.
- Canada was a strategic entry point due to high commuter volumes — over 16.5 million Canadians commute daily, while 38.7 million traveled abroad in 2024.
Details
Treepz partnered with the African Impact Challenge which is run by the African Impact Initiative and the University of Toronto.
The 2-year partnership will see Treepz manage corporate travel logistics — including flights, accommodations, and ground transport — for participants traveling from Canada and other countries to South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.
Between the lines
Treepz is establishing its global headquarters in Ontario, supported by partners like the World Trade Center’s TAP program, the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, and the Brampton Entrepreneurs Program.
What they’re saying:
- Onyeka Akumah, CEO of Treepz: “The launch of Treepz Canada is a strong positive statement of intent for not just our company but how we represent all African startups. We can truly build globally acceptable and reputable brands right from the streets of Lagos, and Treepz is just one more startup that proves this. We are proud Nigerians who have worked tirelessly to make this happen.
- Erica Henry-Jackman, Brampton’s Manager for Investment Attraction: “We are truly excited, and I am personally excited for personal reasons. When we started the BHive Program in Canada, Treepz was our first Nigerian company, and after COVID, you were part of our delegation. So it’s a bit of a homecoming moment.”
What’s next
Treepz is now targeting more corporate clients across Canada and positioning itself as a tech-driven alternative for business travel logistics in North America.
Learn more about other African tech startups on Labari Insights, our data repository for tech in Africa: insights.techlabari.com
