Wasoko and MaxAB Appoint AI Leader Mo Elshenawy as Board Director Following Landmark Merger

Wasoko and MaxAB, Africa’s largest B2B network of informal retailers, has announced the landmark appointment of Mo Elshenawy, President and Chief Technology Officer of Cruise, as an Independent Board Director and Technical Advisor. Building on the platform’s recent historic merger – the largest in Africa’s tech sector to-date – the move reinforces the combined entity’s rapid trajectory toward becoming Africa’s pre-eminent, world-class technology company operating from the continent. It also further empowers the company’s network of 450,000 informal retailers to better reach the 65 million+ communities they serve, with affordable access to essential goods and services.

As one of the most prominent global leaders in artificial intelligence, Elshenawy brings a wealth of technical expertise, including leading and scaling a team of 2,500+ engineers at Cruise across its AI, robotics, simulation, product engineering, security, hardware, and data and machine learning platforms.

I’m thrilled to serve as a board member and advisor with the newly merged company, joining forces with both Wasoko and MaxAB in a shared commitment to unlocking Africa’s immense, often underappreciated potential. It’s inspiring to be part of a mission that tackles Africa’s most pressing challenges by empowering small business owners and delivering critical value to consumers who need it most. This merger is a testament to the remarkable advancements at the forefront of technology and innovation across the continent. As an Egyptian-American, I feel deeply connected to this mission and the platform’s potential—not only to drive transformative impact within Africa but also to establish a powerful presence on the global stage.

Mo Elshenawy, Independent Board Director and Technical Advisor, Wasoko and MaxAB