Tech

Zambian B2B e-commerce startup, Wasoko invests over $1m to support local businesses

Published

1 year ago

May 12, 2023

Zambian B2B e-commerce startup, Wasoko has announced plans to invest well over $1 million to support and empower local businesses and communities to get more essential goods for less through the power of e-commerce.

Wasoko, which has become the leading B2B retail and e-commerce platform in Zambia since making its entry into the Southern African country, said in a statement on Thursday that the investment would cover its first year of operations while mentoring the local businesses.

Wasoko’s founder and Global CEO, Daniel Yu, who spoke on the initiative, said:

“As we drive ahead with the next phase of our growth journey, it’s vital that the operating environments of our future markets are conducive to our ambitions and Zambia provides exactly this.

“With high smartphone usage and a pro-business government administration keen on expanding the country’s digital economy, Zambia is an ideal environment to launch our model and strongly aligns with our current core markets, both in terms of similar regulatory practices and a supplier base which is intertwined with East Africa.”

The launching of Wasoko business formation with Lusaka as a central hub, according to Yu, is part of the company’s pivot to a hub and spoke logistics network to drive stronger operational efficiency and significantly boost its capacity for faster regional expansions.

“Launching the central hub in Lusaka, Wasoko’s operations will enable small retailers across the city to access an affordable range of products for same-day delivery and working capital financing solely through the convenience of a mobile app,” he said.

“With this in mind, we’re confident that our new launch will not only play a huge role in accelerating our existing progress across the continent, but also significantly strengthen the purchasing power of everyday citizens in Zambia and enhance their livelihoods in the process,” he added.

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Tech

Rwanda’s e-mobiility startup IZI expands electric bus fleet after getting grant from Green Fund

Published

11 hours ago

October 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Rwanda’s e-mobility startup, IZI, has announced the delivery of five electric buses to Kigali, the country’s capital city, after obtaining a substantial grant from the Rwandan Green Fund.

IZI, a frontrunner in electric vehicle solutions which says it is on a mission to electrify Rwanda’s public transport sector, has, in just four months of operation, grown its initial fleet of five electric buses to an enviable height.

CEO of the startup, Alex Wilson, believes the grant is a testament to the success story of IZI.

“These results validate our E-Mobility-as-a-Service model. We’re not just reducing emissions; we’re proving that sustainable public transport is economically viable in Africa.

“Building on this success, IZI has secured an RWF 300,000,000 grant from the Rwanda Green Fund to deploy five additional electric buses in Kigali.

“These vehicles will represent the most advanced public transport in Rwanda to date, boasting features such as an independent intelligent driver’s cabin, air suspension balanced driver’s seat, full LCD dashboard, one-step entry, and a flat-floor design for improved passenger comfort,” he said.

He added that the success of IZI’s pilot has led to strong demand from other Rwandan public bus operators.

“IZI has now signed contracts with 4 leading transport companies for the deployment of over 100 buses, marking a significant expansion of its operations.

“Looking ahead, IZI plans to establish a state-of-the-art battery maintenance and repair facility in Kigali, supporting the entire EV ecosystem in Rwanda and positioning the country as a centre of innovation in the EV industry,” he added.

Tech

Nigerian fintech Yellow Card raises $33m to fund expansion drive

Published

3 days ago

October 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigerian-based pan-African fintech, Yellow Card, has announced raising U$33 million in Series C funding to enable it drive its global expansion and strategic initiatives, taking its total equity funding to $85 million.

In a statement announcing the funds, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, Chris Maurice, said the capital would be applied to fund growth and expansion, particularly through enhancing Yellow Card’s API and widget products— the gateways for international businesses, including Coinbase and Block, to tap into African markets and for Pan-African companies to easily make international payments and manage their treasury via stablecoins.

“This fundraise not only demonstrates our resilience, but also highlights the vital role of digital assets for businesses across Africa,” said Maurice.

“We are excited about the opportunities, partnerships, and journey ahead; and I’m proud to work with an incredible cohort of investors that share our vision for the industry and the continent.

“Additionally, Yellow Card is developing innovative new products for the continent, strengthening its team and systems, and continuing to lead engagement with regulators across the continent,” Maurice added.

Founded in 2019, Yellow Card has steadily become the largest and first licensed Stablecoin on/off ramp on the African continent with operations spanning 20 African countries and over $3 billion in transactions facilitated across the continent.

In September 2022, the startup had announced the close of its $40 million Series B funding round, and has now followed that up with a $33 million Series C round, led by Blockchain Capital, with participation from Polychain Capital, Third Prime Ventures, Castle Island Ventures, Block, Inc., Galaxy Ventures, Blockchain Coinvestors, Hutt Capital, and Winklevoss Capital.

Speaking on the funding, Aleks Larsen, General Partner at Blockchain Capital, said the future of payments lies in fast, affordable rails for everyone, powered by open networks.

“We couldn’t be more excited to back Yellow Card as they bring Africa on-chain with stablecoins,” Larsen said.