Merchant Venture Xpress

Merchant Venture Xpress (MVX) is a digital logistics platform that facilitates freight booking and management for businesses trading within and out of Africa. Founded in 2019 by Tonye Membere Otaji, the company aims to simplify the entire shipping process, from booking to deployment, through a single online channel. MVX addresses common challenges in the African freight ecosystem, such as long delays, the involvement of multiple expensive intermediaries, and a lack of transparency in cost and shipment location.

The company operates on a B2B model, primarily serving the energy and agricultural sectors in West Africa. Its platform offers an integrated solution that matches vessel availability with demand at optimal market rates, allowing clients to charter and manage offshore support vessels efficiently. Key features include automated matching, integrated shipment management with real-time tracking, and access to trade finance. This digital approach helps clients reduce man-hours, save costs, and improve overall performance.

MVX has secured a total of $1.4 million in funding over two seed rounds. The first round in May 2019 included investors Oui Capital and Zircon Marine, followed by a larger round in August 2021 with participation from Kepple Africa Ventures and Launch Africa.

Keywords: digital freight, logistics platform, freight booking, shipment management, trade finance, African trade, supply chain tech, freight forwarding, vessel chartering, B2B logistics