Cikü Mugambi has joined DOB Equity, a Netherlands-based private equity fund focusing on East Africa, months after quitting her role as CEO of Kobo360, a logistics startup.
Per LinkedIn, Mugambu has spent a month working as an investment director at the Dutch family office.
“DOB Equity is delighted to welcome Cikü Mugambi as our new Investment Director, ” an announcement by the investment firm read.
“Cikü brings 15 years of investment and operational experience across Africa, with a strong track record of deploying capital into high-impact businesses.”
The move marks a return to investment for Mugambi, who previously held roles in the sector before her two-year tenure at Kobo360. She joined the company as Chief Operating Officer (COO) before rising to the CEO position in August 2023, following Obi Ozor’s departure.
Mugambi’s departure from Kobo360, fondly referred to as the “Uber of trucks,” followed a period of leadership changes and financial difficulties at the company, which had raised approximately $79 million from investors including Juven, a Goldman Sachs affiliate, the IFC, and TLcom Capital. The startup faced operational disruptions and financial strain, contributing to her resignation after a year at the helm.
Kobo360, which provides trucking services to major companies like Dangote, Unilever, and Flour Mills, is now under the leadership of co-founder and former CEO Obi Ozor, who has returned to turnaround the company.
The logistics company reportedly has ₦10 billion in bank debt and would require fresh financing to restart operations by Q2 2025. If all goes well, laid-off employees could be recalled by 2026.
For DOB Equity, Mugambi will focus on identifying and backing local founders building scalable solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Her deep expertise in investment strategy and execution, portfolio management, and operational leadership will further strengthen our mission to support businesses that drive both economic growth and lasting development impact, the family office wrote.
