Léon Constantin Fopa, Lohce’s founder on transforming intercity travel in Cameroon through tech 🚌🇨🇲

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Getting around in Cameroon can still feel like a logistical maze. But since 2017, Lohce, a digital booking platform, has been working to change that. In this interview with TechGriot, Léon Constantin Fopa, the founder of Lohce, shares the personal journey behind the project, how the service works, the challenges of building trust in a digital-first solution, and what’s next for the future of mobility in the region.

What sparked the idea behind Lohce ?💡✨

“It started from my own experience. Between 2010 and 2012, I was constantly traveling between Yaoundé and Douala, and I kept running into the same issues—unreliable schedules, lack of real-time info, and overall disorganization. After finishing my PhD, I wanted to put my skills to use by creating a solution that directly addresses the real-life pain points of travelers.”

📌 Lohce was born out of personal experience, with the goal of making intercity travel in Cameroon simpler, more transparent, and more reliable..

Can you walk us through the customer experience, from booking to boarding ? 🧭📲

“Lohce is accessible via lohce.com or through partner apps like Buccavoyage. Users select their route and carrier, then pay online—either with mobile money or credit card. Once the payment is processed, they receive a confirmation SMS with a Lohce code to show at boarding, plus all the relevant travel details (ticket window, departure time, contact info). The system even allows for easy cancellations and automatic refunds.”

📌 The service offers a streamlined and secure online booking experience, giving travelers the flexibility and confidence to manage their journey from their phone.

There are other digital travel services out there. What makes Lohce different ? 🚀

“We’ve been doing this since 2017, and our focus has always been on customer experience. We work exclusively with a small group of transport companies we trust, which allows us to quickly troubleshoot issues directly with their leadership. For instance, during the crisis in the Northwest and Southwest, we adapted our services to keep routes to Bamenda operational. After every trip, we also collect feedback from passengers—something that’s rarely done in the traditional system. These insights are gold. They help operators fix small but critical issues, like a malfunctioning AC, which otherwise might never reach management.”

📌 Lohce goes beyond ticketing—it’s a feedback-driven bridge between passengers and transport operators, designed to keep improving the travel experience in real time.

Which companies are currently onboard? And are you looking to expand ? 🚌

“We’re always open to new partnerships, but only with companies willing to go fully digital and embrace transparency. That’s not always easy—many still don’t even have websites. But we help them build a credible online presence and protect their brand against impersonators. For now, we’re actively working with Amour Mezam Express (VIP routes from Yaoundé to Douala to Bamenda) and Bucca Voyage (VIP Yaoundé-Douala). All trips are listed and updated on our platform, especially during curfews or disruptions. We’ve had other partners in the past, but some relationships didn’t continue.”

📌 Lohce works with a select few partners for now, focusing on companies that understand the value of a strong digital presence—and the security and trust it builds.

Paying online in advance can be a big ask. How do you build trust with users ?🛡️

“Trust is everything. No one’s going to send money online if they’re not sure what they’re getting. The real issue is that many companies have no official digital presence. That leaves passengers exposed to scammers who create fake pages or apps. Our job is to help our partners get verified websites, better SEO, and official channels to communicate with their customers. We also educate passengers on where to find real, up-to-date information—especially via WhatsApp and social media.”

📌 Lohce builds trust by giving transport companies a verified digital identity—and by educating users on how to avoid scams.

You’ve been operating since 2017 but only have two active partners. What’s holding back wider adoption ? ⚠️🚧

“The biggest challenge is mindset. Many transport operators don’t see digital as urgent—they’re still stuck on physical ticket counters and don’t see the harm in ignoring the online space. But when scammers exploit that vacuum and impersonate them, it damages their brand and erodes customer trust. We had a key contract that ended in late 2024 and wasn’t renewed, which led to a 90% drop in our activity. That forced us to slow down and rethink our strategy. We paused marketing but are preparing for a strong comeback by the end of the year.”

📌 Resistance to digital adoption is a major barrier—and it’s holding back both innovation and customer protection in Cameroon’s travel sector.

How do you manage customer service and operations in a country where connectivity can be spotty ? 🌍

“We’re fully remote. Everyone works from home—even in remote areas. We provide the tools (phones, data plans) and run on an agile management model inspired by the ‘storming’ method. We meet three times a week to plan, once for reviews, and every three weeks for a strategy check-in. The team includes 12 people—full-timers, freelancers, interns—all trained locally. It’s a flexible setup that allows us to stay nimble despite infrastructure challenges.”

Have you ever thought of giving up ? 🧠🤯

“The toughest time was late 2024, when we lost a key partner despite all our efforts. It was frustrating because we believed in the project, but we couldn’t make them see the urgency. Honestly, this interview is a chance to raise awareness—not just about Lohce, but about the growing risk of online scams that hurt travelers who have nowhere else to turn.”

What’s next ? 📈

“The biggest challenge is still convincing transport operators that going digital doesn’t have to mean heavy investment. Simple tools—like smartphones and our platform—can help them sell tickets, manage boarding, and collect customer feedback. We also train staff to understand and support passengers online. Tech is just a tool. What really matters is solving real-world problems. The more we understand people’s daily struggles, the better we can build solutions that actually help.”

TL;DR 📌
Léon Constantin Fopa’s journey with Lohce highlights the critical need for digital transformation in Cameroon’s transport sector. Despite resistance, Lohce continues to champion a more efficient, transparent, and customer-first travel experience. It’s not just about tech—it’s about building trust, solving real problems, and reshaping the future of mobility, one route at a time.

What do you think?
Are transport companies in Cameroon ready to embrace digital innovation?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!