Balancing a demanding career with her children’s school schedules was the catalyst that led Blen Hailu to establish Kabba Transport. Overwhelmed by daily traffic, unreliable public transit, and constant concern for her children’s safety, she recognized that many other parents in Addis Ababa shared the same worries. Realizing the need for a safe, convenient, and trustworthy transportation solution, she and her team decided to build Kabba from the ground up.
Blen and her co-founders began by surveying parents directly, distributing questionnaires and listening closely to their concerns. The responses overwhelmingly highlighted safety and reliability as top priorities. They understood that Kabba would be more than just a company,it would address a critical, everyday need for countless families. Gaining parental trust in a brand-new system was no small task, and drivers, too, had to adapt to a structured model that required punctuality and clear communication. Still, Hailu’s conviction in Kabba’s potential never wavered.
The solution they developed combined real-time tracking technology with a human element. Parents could monitor their children’s journeys via an app, while Quality Assurance Assistants in every vehicle upheld service standards. It was not enough to simply claim safety; Kabba aimed to prove it every day. Positive feedback from relieved parents served as a powerful validation, making every hurdle worthwhile.
Growing the company tested Blen's patience and determination. She and her team balanced day-to-day operations with the challenges of building an entirely new transportation system. Navigating a regulatory landscape that did not neatly accommodate a tech-driven public transit service required numerous negotiations, including splitting tax obligations between Kabba’s commission and the drivers. Despite these complexities, the team found ways to move forward.
Two years later, Kabba has evolved into a tight-knit community rather than merely a transportation service. Families rebook annually, often requesting the same drivers and vehicles because of the trust they have cultivated. The company also provides meaningful employment opportunities for women and young people, training them for consistent, rewarding work. Seeing the pride and commitment among drivers and Quality Assurance Assistants highlights the depth of Kabba’s impact.
Looking ahead, Blen envisions Kabba fundamentally changing how people in Ethiopia, and eventually other regions, view and use public transportation. She aims to promote mass transit systems that are safe, efficient, and dependable, employing technology to reduce congestion and minimize carbon emissions. The ultimate goal is to transform daily commuting into a seamless, stress-free experience for everyone. To that end, Kabba has also recently launched corporate deals, enabling companies to provide reliable transportation solutions for their employees, further supporting its mission to make commuting more accessible and efficient.
Blen’s journey highlights that entrepreneurship is about creating tangible value and addressing real-world problems. She advises aspiring founders to remain patient, stay true to their purpose, and allow their core vision to shape each decision. Kabba, under her leadership, is not just moving people from one destination to another, it is building trust, fostering opportunity, and setting a new precedent for reliable, community-focused transportation.
