Launch Africa Ventures

Octavia Carbon is the first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company in the Global South, focused on filtering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company designs, builds, and deploys patented technology that utilizes Kenya's geothermal energy and geological resources to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of DAC technology. By capturing CO2 directly from the air, Octavia Carbon enables the conversion of this greenhouse gas into stable underground rock formations or repurposes it as an industrial gas, helping to replace polluting fossil fuels. This innovative approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports industrial power users in East Africa, contributing to the fight against energy poverty in the region.

The Daily Sale Shop is an online marketplace that provides a diverse selection of products to customers in Zimbabwe. The platform emphasizes convenience by offering free delivery across the nation, allowing individuals to shop from the comfort of their homes. With a focus on customer satisfaction, The Daily Sale Shop also ensures reliable customer support and a seamless checkout experience, making it easier for customers to receive their orders efficiently.

Zuri Health is a telemedicine company based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2020. It offers affordable and accessible healthcare solutions through a mobile app, website, and SMS services, catering to patients without smartphones and those in rural areas. Users can schedule lab and diagnostic tests, consult with doctors, purchase medications from pharmacies, and arrange home visits with qualified medical professionals. The platform also features an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to enhance user experience and provide first-level medical consultations. Zuri Health aims to create a universally accessible healthcare experience for all individuals, regardless of their location or resources.

Elevate Pay is a financial technology company that offers a digital banking platform. This platform enables users to open bank accounts online, obtain fee-free Sudanese Pound (SDG) and US Dollar (USD) accounts, receive a free USD Mastercard, make free transfers within Sudan, and receive free international transfers from various countries. The company aims to provide innovative, fair, responsible, and inclusive financial products, improving access to financial services for its consumers.

Amitruck is a logistics platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, that connects cargo owners with trucking professionals through a mobile and web application. Founded in 2018, the platform allows customers to easily book deliveries and access a network of available trucks. It features a driver application that facilitates communication between clients and transporters, ensuring timely updates on shipments. Amitruck's user-friendly interface enables clients to receive instant quotes and track their deliveries in real-time, offering complete visibility throughout the delivery process.

Numida Technologies is a digital financial institution based in Kampala, Uganda, focused on serving micro, small, and medium enterprises in East Africa. Founded in 2015, Numida provides an application software that enables small businesses to maintain accurate digital financial records, allowing them to monitor their performance effectively. The company specializes in offering unsecured growth and working capital loans, leveraging a proprietary credit scoring system to assess borrowers' creditworthiness. By improving access to financing, Numida aims to foster a thriving small business sector that can create secure employment, enhance tax revenues for local governments, and uplift the living standards of entrepreneurs and their communities. Its platform not only helps businesses make informed financial decisions but also assists lending institutions in reducing risk and costs, ultimately leading to better lending terms for borrowers.

Kwara GmbH is a technology company that specializes in developing a digital banking platform tailored for savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs). Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, Kwara aims to modernize credit unions by providing a comprehensive cloud-based solution. The platform facilitates loan application servicing and approval for members, while also offering integration services, customer support, real-time financial tracking, and compliance assistance. Kwara's offerings include Kwara Pronto, a tool for managing loans. Currently, the company serves over 200 SACCOs across Kenya, South Africa, and the Philippines, enabling these financial institutions to enhance their operations and improve access to formal financial services.

MarketForce is a technology company headquartered in the United States, with operations in Kenya and Nigeria, focused on enhancing B2B commerce and fintech solutions for African merchants. Launched in 2018, the company has developed the "RejaReja" platform, which allows merchants to digitally source, order, and pay for inventory. In addition to these services, MarketForce offers access to financing, enables digital payment collection, and allows merchants to resell digital financial services like airtime and utility tokens. Operating in five markets across Sub-Saharan Africa, MarketForce has established a rapidly growing network that includes over 200,000 merchants and 50 consumer brands. The company employs an asset-light business model to drive efficiency and productivity in the distribution of goods, utilizing advanced technology to streamline operations for its users.

Pawame Limited is a company that develops off-grid solar home systems aimed at electrifying households in sub-Saharan Africa. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Pawame produces solar kits that include solar panels, LED lights, wall switches, flashlights, radios, and phone chargers. The company employs a pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) model, allowing customers to make affordable monthly payments through a mobile money platform. This model not only provides access to reliable electricity but also enables the company to gather data that supports the offering of additional products and services, including electrical appliances, micro-insurance, education loans, and remote health services. Pawame's mission is to enhance the quality of life for off-grid communities by providing energy access, which serves as a gateway to financial empowerment and opportunities, contributing to the alleviation of poverty in the region.

Alpha Direct is a Botswana-based insurtech company focused on providing affordable and accessible insurance products to Africa's underserved consumer market. The company leverages cloud technology, big data, and artificial intelligence to develop innovative insurance solutions. In less than five years, Alpha Direct has become the fifth largest short-term insurance underwriter in Botswana and is now pursuing regional expansion across Africa, including plans to enter the long-term insurance sector. Its product offerings encompass a range of insurance types, such as car, business, bus, workers, and travel insurance, aimed particularly at low-income groups. The company has gained recognition for its innovative "insurance in a box" product, which is sold through retail outlets and features a cloud-based activation and policy management platform. This has enabled Alpha Direct to rapidly acquire thousands of customers. Over the next five years, the company intends to expand its offerings to include long-term insurance and extend its reach into South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria, as well as license its products and technology in ten additional African countries.

Ramani is a Tanzanian company founded in 2020, specializing in software development for sales operations. The company's application enables salespeople to effectively track inventory, register customers, and record sales transactions in real time. By providing a financial infrastructure platform, Ramani helps organizations capture essential supply chain data, enhancing sales visibility and supporting resellers in accessing financial services. This functionality allows clients to improve their revenue and expand their market share. Based in Dar es Salaam, Ramani aims to streamline sales processes for businesses across various sectors.