Online hotel booking platform, AIG get $84 million in new funding round

Jovago.com, African hotel booking website, and AXA, a worldwide leader in Insurance and Asset management announced today a partnership to develop the expansion of Jovago in a new round of funding aimed at boosting its activities in Africa. This would further ensure the expansion of the business and strengthen the brand in major cities across Africa and Asia.

AXA as a major investor confirms Jovago’s strategy to expand its operations and local presence in Africa in order to meet the needs of domestic and international travelers. The world class player, will invest £75 million and own approximately 8 percent share capital of AIG, mother company of Jovago. As a result, AXA will thus become a shareholder of AIG along with MTN, RocketInternet and Millicom.

Through this partnership, Jovago’s current positions as an African inventory of hotels will be further consolidated as the company continues its provision of a secure platform to increase the visibility of hotels, improve service quality, facilitate the movement of travelers and promote profitability for their businesses.

“It’s amazing for Jovago to partner with such a strong group as AXA who will allow us to strengthen our ability to build the first platform for travellers in Africa. Jovago wants to break the barriers to travel and make travel more easy and affordable in Africa. The suppoer of AXA will be key to succeed. ” said Paul Midy, CEO Jovago. He continues by explaining that “since the funding is well-timed and the amounts invested significant, this makes for one of the top investments in the history of start-ups in Africa. It also strategically positions Jovago and Africa Internet Group to further build e-commerce in Africa.”

READ: 29-Yr old entrepreneur launches HotelOga after exiting Jovago

This investment will allow AXA to build on the strength of AIG companies to further develop its activities as the company becomes the exclusive provider of insurance products and services throughout AIG.

“This transaction confirms AXA’s long-term commitment towards the African markets and represents another step in our development on the continent. Africa is home to some of the most dynamic and promising insurance markets in the world and our partnership with Africa Internet Group will enable us to accelerate materially our development by having access to their rich customer base and to their state-of-the-art e-commerce technology. Going forward, we aim to enable African consumers to better access insurance solutions to create sustainable financial well-being throughout their lives and those of their dependants“, added DenisDuverne, Deputy CEO of AXA.

Since its creation in 2013 and the opening of its first offices in Africa, Jovago has recorded steady growth. Its large inventory lists 25,000 hotels in over 40 African countries and 200,000 hotels worldwide. With its ongoing success, Jovago aims to drive the innovation of its digital services in the hospitality industry in emerging countries.

This new round of funding also comes after the reports of the company looking to sue one of its founders - now ex-MD, Marek Zmyslowski, surfaced in the media last week. Zmyslowski had taken to his twitter to spill some cryptic messages, along with a threat to expose Rocket Internet somehow - although he later deleted said tweet.

Pulse Tech shall continue to monitor the situation and keep you posted.