UZ students launch DuraGo AI e-hailing and delivery platform

UZ students launch DuraGo AI e-hailing and delivery platform

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University of Zimbabwe students have developed an AI-enabled e-hailing and delivery platform called DuraGo, designed to offer passenger transport and several on-demand delivery services.

The platform is intended to support multiple categories, including passenger transport, food delivery, courier services and business logistics coordination, as developers seek to respond to demand for faster and more reliable services.

In an interview, DuraGo chief executive Christian Madiro said the system was built through the contributions of four students and was created to address weaknesses they identified in existing delivery and transport models in Zimbabwe.

“The increasing demand for fast, reliable, and affordable transportation and delivery services has highlighted the need for innovative digital solutions that connect customers, drivers and businesses in real time,” Madiro said.

He said traditional delivery and transport systems often face “inefficient dispatching, limited tracking capabilities, high operational costs and inadequate access to on-demand services,” and that DuraGo is designed to use mobile technology, geolocation services, artificial intelligence and cloud-based infrastructure to improve how customers and service providers connect.

Madiro said features such as real-time tracking, automated dispatching, route optimisation and secure digital payment integration are expected to improve operational efficiency while enhancing convenience and reliability for users.

He added that the system is presented as a framework for “design, development, and implementation” of intelligent e-hailing platforms, with potential to reduce transport inefficiencies, expand access to delivery services and contribute to the growth of Zimbabwe’s digital economy.

The developers also referenced a separate concept called Durahub, which they said was designed for farmers to buy agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, animal feeds and seed, while also providing a market where they can sell produce.

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For communities in Mashonaland Central, platforms that improve logistics and access to inputs can have knock-on effects for small businesses and farmers, particularly where transport costs and limited market links continue to affect rural incomes.

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