Tech

Zambian e-commerce startup Bosso raises $400k in pre-seed funding

Published

6 months ago

June 1, 2024

Zambian e-commerce construction startup, Bosso, has announced raising $400,000 in pre-seed round of funding to further develop its platform and add new features.

Bosso, a cutting-edge e-commerce construction platform aimed at delivering solutions for the African construction and building sector founded in 2022 by Chisepo Chirwa, Mukopaje Singogo, Ibn Kafwanka and Salwa Shamapande, is Zambia’s largest online construction material marketplace for hardware stores and contractors.

According to Chirwa who is the firm’s CEO, the platform benefits the Zambian construction sector by “making quality and affordable building materials available to everyone, everywhere.”

“What initially began as an online marketplace that streamlined the sourcing of building materials for hardware stores, has evolved into a holistic B2B and B2C solution to address the 60 million housing deficit across Africa,” Chirwa said in an interview on Friday.

He stated that the startup has so far onboarded over 1,000 hardware stores in Zambia, served over 200 homebuilders with source materials, and delivered construction materials to four out of 10 Zambian provinces.

“The $400,000 pre-seed round was raised from Leonard by Vinci, Launch Africa Ventures, Renew Capital, Change-Com, and various angel investors, and will be used to expand operations in its home market, and build new products,” he said.

“The remainder of this year and 2025 will see Bosso transfer the two years of data they have acquired to their AI technology in order to drastically decrease the inefficiencies across the sector.

“We will be launching a new platform that adds on essential services on top of the materials we already offer. Services such as land conveyance, financing, “save now pay later”, and access to construction companies.”

Chirwa opined that Bosso was on a mission to source materials for over 5,000 homes in 2025, and would open its seed round in August.

“The housing crisis is real, and Africa needs a Bosso tackling this issue because everyone deserves decent and affordable housing.

“We want to bring our mission to the entire continent, starting with Southern Africa, as well launch a new AI building materials assistant to accelerate our solution.”

Related Topics:Bosso Construction e commerce Featured

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

12 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.