Home Interviews Apexloads CEO, Charles Thuo Talks Logistics Innovation and the Future of Supply...

Apexloads CEO, Charles Thuo Talks Logistics Innovation and the Future of Supply Chain in Africa

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Apexloads is a Kenyan-based tech-logistics startup that aims to revolutionize the logistics industry in Africa.

It operates as an online load board, connecting cargo owners (shippers and brokers) with transporters to streamline the freight-truck matching process.

By using a digital platform, Apexloads aims to reduce inefficiencies, improve transparency, and ultimately make the logistics process more efficient and cost-effective.

In a conversation with Charles Thuo, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Apexloads, we delve into why logistics is at the core of his tech startup’s mission, and how his journey—from aerospace engineer to trucking entrepreneur—led him to create a platform aiming to revolutionize logistics in Africa.

Q: Charles, what inspired you to start Apexloads and focus on logistics?

Charles Thuo: “The logistics sector in Africa is vastly underdeveloped compared to places like the U.S. or Europe. It’s a huge opportunity, but also a massive challenge. I come from an aerospace engineering background, and I always knew that logistics was the backbone of any economy. If you look at Africa, logistics issues are at the heart of a lot of problems—whether it’s wasted food, high transportation costs, or inefficiencies that make African exports noncompetitive on the global market. I got into logistics partly because I saw the potential for change. But the biggest driving force for me is that logistics is a universal need. It’s all about moving cargo from point A to point B, and I wanted to bring solutions to Africa that have already worked in other parts of the world.”

Q: So, how did you transition from aerospace engineering to logistics?

Charles Thuo: “I was working full-time as an aerospace engineer in the U.S., and I wanted to find a side hustle. My cousins in Kenya were already in logistics, and I knew there was money to be made in the sector. I took a two-week vacation to get my commercial driver’s license (CDL), thinking I’d work part-time on weekends. But soon, I realized that trucking companies weren’t hiring part-time drivers without experience, so I ended up starting a small trucking company in Oklahoma. By 2020, I was ready to go full-time. It was a tough decision—especially explaining it to my parents, switching from aerospace engineering to driving trucks. But at the end of the day, I was focused on what mattered most: paying my bills and taking care of my family.”

Q: What did you learn from your trucking experience that led to the creation of Apexloads?

Charles Thuo: “Trucking is a tough business, especially with the high driver turnover rates. In six months, I went through four drivers. It’s a stressful industry, but it showed me the immense potential. I also realized how disconnected the logistics industry is, especially in Africa. My cousins and I would compare notes, and the difference between logistics in the U.S. and Africa was shocking. Africa was at least 10 to 15 years behind in terms of technology. We had the same players—shippers, freight brokers, transporters—but there was no easy way for them to connect and move goods efficiently. That’s when I realized: we could build a platform to close that tech gap.”

Q: How does Apexloads aim to solve these problems in Africa?

Charles Thuo: “Apexloads is essentially a matchmaking platform for logistics. On one side, we have cargo owners—freight brokers and forwarders—and on the other, we have transporters. The problem in Africa is that these two sides often don’t know how to find each other, and when they do, it’s chaotic. Brokers often have to rely on WhatsApp groups to connect with transporters, and messages get buried. Apexloads creates a controlled environment where brokers can find transporters quickly, reducing the time it takes to match a truck with cargo from hours to minutes.”

Q: How does Apexloads improve efficiency in the logistics sector?

Charles Thuo: “The platform streamlines communication and makes finding trucks faster and more reliable. For example, brokers in East Africa often spend 5-6 hours looking for a truck. With Apexloads, they can find one in as little as 10 minutes. And because logistics is a high-stakes business—cargo can be worth millions—trust and credibility are crucial. We’ve built a database that allows users to verify third-party service providers in minutes, saving both time and money.”

Q: What impact do you hope Apexloads will have on the logistics industry in Africa?

Charles Thuo: “Logistics is a huge pain point in Africa, but it’s also where the greatest opportunities lie. We aim to make African logistics as efficient as what you’d find in developed countries, but at a fraction of the cost. In East Africa, shipping costs are 50% higher than in the U.S., making exports noncompetitive. If we can lower those costs and improve efficiency, we’ll help drive economic growth. Apexloads is not about replacing existing players—it’s about making everyone more efficient and providing solutions that make sense for the market.”

Q: How does Apexloads support the logistics ecosystem?

Charles Thuo: “Apexloads operates on a subscription-based model, making it affordable for all players. Freight brokers pay just $10 per user per month, and transporters pay $5 per user. The goal is to build a marketplace where both sides—brokers and transporters—can connect easily. We’re creating a platform where, if there’s cargo to move, there will be a truck available to move it. We’re not just building a platform; we’re creating an independent marketplace that makes logistics more transparent, efficient, and cost-effective for everyone involved.”

Q: How has Apexloads managed to gain traction despite being a relatively young company?

Charles Thuo: “While we’re a young company with a small team of 10 dedicated individuals, we’ve been fortunate to garner significant traction. Our mobile application has exceeded 7,000 downloads and 5,000 sign-ups, which is a testament to the strong interest in our platform. Additionally, our active website has further contributed to our growing user base. This early success has fueled our ambition to expand our operations beyond Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and into other African markets.”

Q: What Innovative Solutions Does Apexloads Offer to Revolutionize Logistics?

Charles Thuo: “Apexloads provides a range of tech-driven solutions designed to streamline logistics operations and enhance efficiency for brokers, transporters, and other players in the supply chain.

Key offerings include:

Load Board: A digital platform where freight brokers and transporters can connect seamlessly to match available cargo with suitable trucks. This system reduces the time spent searching for transporters and cargo, making logistics operations faster and more efficient.

Transporter Resource Management (TRM): A comprehensive tool to help logistics companies manage and track their fleet, drivers, and operations. The TRM system enhances fleet management by providing real-time insights, reducing operational inefficiencies, and improving overall logistics management.

EAC Profile: A feature that enables users to create and manage a verified digital profile on the platform. This allows freight brokers, forwarders, and transporters to build credibility, establish trust, and ensure compliance with logistics standards in the East African Community (EAC) region.

Invoice Factoring: Apexloads offers invoice factoring services to transporters, helping them improve cash flow by allowing them to get paid immediately upon delivery of goods, rather than waiting for the typical payment cycle. This helps transporters maintain financial liquidity and reduce the financial strain of delayed payments.

These offerings are designed to close the technology gap in African logistics, simplify supply chain management, and foster greater connectivity and efficiency within the industry.

Q: How has Apexloads’ recent funding and accelerator program selections positioned the company for future growth and expansion?

Charles Thuo: “Apexloads secured a strong financial foundation totaling $300,000, including:

  • $42,000 from two angel investors
  • $50,000 from the I2E Bridge 2 accelerator program in Oklahoma
  • Founder investment

Additionally, Apexloads has been selected to participate in prestigious accelerator programs:

  • 2024 Capital One Accelerator Program: Competing for over $50,000 in prizes
  • 2024 Techstars Washington DC powered by J.P Morgan Accelerator: participants receive up to $120,000 in funding and other benefits

This funding and accelerator participation will fuel Apexloads’ growth strategy and expansion plans.”

Q: What’s next for Apexloads?

Charles Thuo: “The big focus right now is onboarding as many brokers and transporters as we can. We want to reach that critical mass where network effects take over. The more users we have, the more value our platform will deliver.

We’re thrilled to announce the groundbreaking partnership between Apexloads and Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA). This collaboration marks a significant step towards modernizing and simplifying logistics operations across Africa.

In Kenya, the logistics sector directly operating under Customs and Border Control contributed a significant Ksh 791 billion to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and facilitated Ksh 4.9 trillion in import/export transactions in the last financial year.

Also, we aim to onboard all 1,200 member firms of KIFWA onto our platform.

By combining KIFWA’s deep industry knowledge and extensive network with Apexloads’ innovative technology, we’re poised to revolutionize the way goods move across East Africa and the continent.

Together, we’re committed to driving efficiency, reducing costs, and unlocking new opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

Ultimately, we aim to revolutionize the way logistics works in Africa, reducing inefficiencies and making the continent more competitive in the global marketplace.”

Conclusion

Apexloads is aiming to reshape the logistics landscape in Africa by leveraging technology to connect the fragmented players in the supply chain.

Charles Thuo’s journey from aerospace engineering to trucking entrepreneur has given him unique insights into the inefficiencies that hinder the sector.

With its innovative platform, Apexloads seeks to empower freight brokers, forwarders, and transporters across the continent, offering a solution that could drive significant economic change in Africa’s logistics industry.

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