Wave, a fintech startup from Senegal, reported on Monday that its e-ticketing system had achieved significant success, selling at leas popt 10,000 public transport tickets daily.
This surge comes after Wave took complete control of Senegal’s largest e-ticketing platform for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Dakar, launched in early 2024.
The company is expanding to Senegal’s Regional Express Train (TER) and Dakar Dem Dikk bus networks, facilitating a cashless transit transition and demonstrating fintech’s importance in emerging economies.
The BRT line, a key part of Senegal’s urban mobility plan, serves around 300,000 passengers daily with 158 electric buses.
Wave’s partnership with Dakar Mobilité allows users to buy tickets directly through the Wave mobile app. After selecting routes and paying, passengers receive a QR code scanned at BRT stations for quick access.
Ousmane Dioum, Wave’s head of merchant distribution, explained, “Users can now purchase their BRT tickets directly through the Wave app,” highlighting the system’s convenience and security.
Wave’s role in Senegal’s digital payment transformation
Wave’s Managing Director in Senegal, El Hadji Malick Gueye, described the collaboration as a union of innovation in fintech and urban mobility.
He said, “Together, we aim to facilitate a more modern and fluid transport experience for users”. Cheikh Yatt Diouf, Managing Director of Dakar Mobilité, emphasised the importance of digital payments in modernising transport.
He noted the goal of increasing mobile payments for BRT tickets beyond 20 per cent through the e-ticketing app.
Wave’s rapid growth in Senegal’s mobile money market is remarkable. With nearly 11 million active customers, 90 per cent of the adult population, the company became the first francophone African unicorn in 2021 after raising $200 million in Series A funding. Its disruptive low-fee model has challenged established players like Orange and helped expand digital financial services across West Africa.
This digital ticketing initiative simplifies commuting by eliminating queues and supports Senegal’s push for sustainable, electric public transport. Integrating Wave’s fintech solutions with Dakar’s BRT system marks a new chapter in the country’s urban mobility and digital economy.
