Kenyan based Business to business e-commerce startup Sokowatch has raised Sh1.4 billion ($14 million) in Series A funding toward its mission of revamping supply-chain markets for Africa’s informal retailers.
The startup which is based from Nairobi, has created a platform that connects merchants directly to local and multinational suppliers like Unilever, Proctor and Gamble and digitizes orders, payments and delivery-logistics.
According to CEO Daniel Yu, the new Series A plans to broaden its client services from working-capital to data-analytics and target new African markets.
The startup’s primary business focus is to reduce costs and increase profit margins for small merchants. Sokowatch offers retailers an app to order products from its partner suppliers and maintains a fleet of vehicles, primarily three-wheel tuk tuks, for delivery.
Funding the startup is Quona Capital joined by Amplo, Breyer Capital, Vertex Ventures, Timon Capital and repeat investor 4DX Ventures.
Sokowatch is yet to name which countries in Sub-Saharan Africa it’s eyeing for expansion. Daniel Yu confirmed that the startup could someday, however, use the advantages of its platform to offer 3PL services or sell online directly to consumers in Africa.
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