Terms of Service
1. The Platform
Koum is a freight intelligence platform operated by Zaphenath Ltd, a company registered in Rwanda (Registration No. [RDB-REG]). Koum connects shippers, carriers, brokers and dispatchers across 38 African countries.
The platform is operated from Kigali, Rwanda and is subject to Rwandan law and applicable East African Community treaty provisions.
2. Eligibility
To use Koum you must be 18 years or older, a registered business entity or individual trader in an EAC member state, and capable of entering legally binding contracts in your jurisdiction.
Koum reserves the right to verify eligibility at any time and to suspend accounts that do not meet these requirements.
3. Account Registration
You agree to provide accurate information during registration. You are responsible for all activity under your account, including activity by any person you authorise to access your account.
Koum may verify your identity and business registration at any time. Unverified accounts are limited to browsing the platform only.
4. The Platform Fee
Koum charges 1.5% on the value of every confirmed booking. This fee is deducted from escrow at the point of payout to the carrier.
The fee is non-refundable once a booking is confirmed and payment enters escrow. The platform fee is disclosed transparently in the booking confirmation and on every payment summary.
5. Load Posting
Shippers warrant that all cargo descriptions are accurate, including cargo type, weight in metric tonnes, hazardous materials classification, and special handling requirements.
Koum's Sentinel system scores every load before it goes live. Koum reserves the right to remove any load that fails verification. False cargo descriptions may result in immediate account suspension and carrier compensation.
6. Payments and Escrow
All payments are processed through DPO Group, a licensed payment processor in East Africa. Funds are held in escrow until delivery is confirmed by the shipper via the Koum platform.
Koum is not a bank and does not earn interest on escrow funds. Escrow is released within 24 hours of delivery confirmation. In the event of a dispute, escrow is frozen pending resolution by The Arbiter.
7. Dispute Resolution
Disputes are handled by The Arbiter system. See the Dispute Resolution Policy tab for full details. Koum's decision on disputes is final and binding within the platform.
8. Prohibited Uses
You may not use Koum to: post fraudulent loads; misrepresent cargo type or weight; circumvent the platform to avoid the 1.5% fee; harass other platform users; or attempt to reverse-engineer the platform's intelligence systems.
Violations may result in immediate account suspension, forfeiture of escrow funds, and referral to the Commercial Court of Rwanda.
9. Intellectual Property
KOUM™, Zaphenath™, ZaphenathEnvoy™ and all associated marks are intellectual property of Zaphenath Ltd, registered in Rwanda. Unauthorised reproduction violates RDB IP law and the Berne Convention.
The platform's intelligence systems — including the Sentinel scoring algorithm, Matchmaker bid-ranking system, and Oracle pricing model — are proprietary trade secrets of Zaphenath Ltd.
10. Limitation of Liability
Koum is a marketplace platform. We are not a party to contracts between shippers and carriers. Our liability for any transaction is limited to the platform fee received for the relevant transaction.
Koum is not liable for cargo loss, damage, or delay. Carriers and shippers contract with each other directly, facilitated by the platform.
11. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Rwanda and applicable EAC Treaty provisions. Disputes not resolved through the platform shall be submitted to the Commercial Court of Rwanda.
12. Changes to Terms
Koum may update these terms with 14 days' notice via email. Continued use of the platform after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.