Tech

Rwandan health-tech startup Kasha raises funds for African expansion

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

Rwandan health-tech startup, Kasha, has announced raising substantial funding to enable it carry out its African expansion dreams.

A statement by the digital platform for last mile access to health, said it secured the equity funding from Sanofi Global Health Unit’s Impact Investment Fund to help it expand into more African countries.

Founder and CEO of Kasha, Joanna Bichsel, who made the announcement in a statement, the investment will help the startup to scale up the awareness of NCDs and other health issues

“It’s an exciting milestone for Kasha to partner so closely with Sanofi who is an important strategic partner for us,” said Bichsel.

“Over the years and across our countries of operations in Africa, Kasha has seen the fast growing demand for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension.

“With this investment, we will scale up the awareness of NCDs and other health issues and make it easier and more affordable for people to get the medications they need, especially lower income and rural customers.

“Leveraging Kasha’s technology platform to drive access in a customer-driven and data-driven way, together Kasha and Sanofi can change the game in enabling full access to quality pharmaceuticals in Africa.”

Launched in 2016, Kasha is a digital retail and last mile distribution platform for pharmaceuticals and fast moving consumer goods serving consumers, resellers, pharmacies, hospitals and clinics with genuine quality affordable products.

The startup also serves enterprises as a channel partner by leveraging its sales and last mile distribution network, data analytics and e-health services to enable pharmaceutical manufacturers and global health organisations to increase access to quality health products through marketing, consumer insights and end-to-end distribution visibility to the last mile.

The company has optimised for women as its target customer segment with the understanding that women are the most influential segment for health products and household goods, and yet still very much underserved.

Related Topics:Featured Funding Health-tech Kasha Rwanda

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation