Tech in Africa
The Swedish Development finance institution, popularly known as Swedfund has invested in Kasha Global, a healthcare e-commerce platform currently operating in Kenya and Rwanda. A user on Kasha’s platform can access education and other confidential feminine products such as contraceptives and other menstrual health products. Their target market is primarily women in underserved areas.
Kasha is easily accessed through its offline and online multichannel e-commerce platform. Purchases are simplified to allow any type of mobile phone whether it can access the internet or not.
Maria Håkansson the CEO of Swedfund attributes “Social stigma around sexual and reproductive health in Africa is very common leading to women not getting access to the right information and safe products to make empowered decisions about their health” thus believes Kasha Global will ease access genuine products and information for women of low-income.
At the heart of this investment is the emphasis on social impact, and it is evident in the fact that 65% of Kasha’s customers are low-income earners. Kasha relies on more than 200 trained agents who aggregate the orders while facilitating last-mile delivery to the final consumer.
Joanna Bichsel, Kasha’s founder and CEO describes Swedfund as a “purpose-driven investor” and touts its “extensive experience” in emerging markets.
Funding to Kasha is in the tune of a million dollars with a special focus on accelerating growth and a positive impact on society. Africa accounts for 58.0% of the investments share of Swedfund’s portfolio as per 2019 figures.
