Leslie Ossete is the CEO of Magic Bus Ticketing, an offline SMS based ticketing system aimed at improving the transportation system in Africa.
The student of Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, alongside three other students came up with an initiative that helps to solve a number of the transporting problems African commuters face.
Ossete who has had firsthand experience of waiting for the bus and getting late to class wanted to do something about it. In her own words, “I know what it means for a young student to [miss] class and [not] go home on time, I have friends and family who have missed important opportunities because no bus showed up.”
Magic Bus Ticketing lets bus commuters know when the next bus arrives and how much it is charging. It also allows payment through mobile money. Brilliant isn’t it?
Now this is where it gets more impressive. In September 2016, the student start up won the $1 million Hult Prize after competing with over 25,0000 applicants and pitching in front of Bob Collymore, CEO of Safaricom, and Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, amongst other judges.
Leslie says that the team would use this money to expand into other East African Countries like Uganda, and Tanzania whilst launching their operations fully in Kenya.
We know they’ll do just fine.
