U.S. International Development Finance Corp

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up focused on transforming public transportation in Kenya and Rwanda by providing electric buses as a cost-effective alternative to diesel. The company employs a pay-as-you-go model, which simplifies the transition for bus operators by including maintenance and battery charging in the financing plan. BasiGo's electric buses are designed to operate throughout the day on a single charge, utilizing proven and safe battery technology. This approach not only addresses the rising costs of diesel fuel but also aims to make electric buses affordable and accessible to all bus owners, thereby promoting sustainable and efficient public transport solutions in the region.

Pezesha is a digital financial marketplace based in Nairobi, Kenya, that connects small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to various financing options, including working capital, float financing, and LPO financing. Founded in 2016, Pezesha aims to enhance access to affordable credit for micro-businesses by leveraging credit and data analytics to link lenders with low-income borrowers. The platform facilitates a shared economy by converging lending and other financial services, thereby enabling underserved SMBs to participate in the formal financial system. Through its innovative approach, Pezesha seeks to empower businesses and improve their growth potential by providing essential financial resources.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings is a leading U.S-Kenyan company that supports a Kenyan-based biopesticide processing business that aggregates, extracts, and refines pale refine extract (PRE) from the pyrethrum flower, and sells the PRE to formulators across the world. Kentegra is committed to improving farmer’s livelihoods by investing in the communities where we are working to help farmers and their families have a more stable income and better quality of life. Grants: Norad 2021, AgriFi 2020, USAID 2020, USAID 2019, DEG 2020, DEG 2019

Kasha is an e-commerce platform based in Kigali, Rwanda, that focuses on providing accessible personal care and health products for women in Rwanda and Kenya. Founded in 2016, Kasha offers a wide range of products, including bath and body items, menstrual care supplies such as sanitary pads and tampons, and sexual health products including contraceptives and lubricants. The company also provides pharmaceuticals, pain relievers, supplements, and mom and baby care products. Kasha aims to promote health for women at all stages of life, addressing needs related to maternal health, menstrual hygiene, family planning, and chronic diseases. By operating both online and in urban and rural areas, Kasha seeks to enhance accessibility to essential health and personal care products.

Africa Data Centres operates a network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities across the continent, facilitating digital transformation for businesses. By leveraging global expertise tailored for local markets, Africa Data Centres offers rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections. Their strategically located facilities serve as vital hubs for critical business data, providing access to numerous leading cloud providers, carriers, and enterprises. The East Africa Data Centre, situated in Nairobi's Sameer Industrial Park, is particularly notable for its optimal hosting capabilities for both African and international companies. It connects to extensive carrier networks throughout Kenya and offers long-distance fibre routes to several neighboring countries, making it a key node in East Africa's connectivity landscape.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Apollo Agriculture Ltd. is an agtech company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that supports smallholder farmers by providing financial and technical assistance. Founded in 2015, the company offers loans to help farmers acquire essential inputs such as fertilizer, seeds, and crop insurance, along with access to expert advice. By utilizing agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology, Apollo customizes financing packages based on individual farmer needs, assessing credit risk through satellite and soil data. This tailored approach aims to enhance farming practices and significantly increase crop yields, thereby maximizing profits for farmers in emerging markets.

Africa Healthcare Network (“AHN”) has established the first dialysis chain across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing high-quality, life-saving dialysis at affordable cost. AHN brings world-class technical expertise combined with developing world practical operating experience to a region in dire need of quality dialysis treatment. Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The few hospitals that provide treatment operate centers that are slowly deteriorating while charging prohibitive prices. Additionally, the lack of trained professionals and limited capital investment in care for non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, dialysis centers are few and far between, causing patients to endure the high costs for travel to receive care. Those who cannot afford the costs of treatment and travel are resigned to death. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and AKI are on the rise in the region due to strong epidemiologic factors, including increased urbanization leading to lifestyle diseases, other non-communicable diseases, HIV and other infections and toxins. Utilizing our network of executives/partners, we will secure high-quality equipment and train professionals to provide superior care. Our ability to source lowest cost consumables, operational efficiency and scale, will allow us to lower the cost to patients. The net result is increased access, higher quality and lower cost to patients, while maintaining profitability. AHN operates in Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya.

Kasha is an e-commerce platform based in Kigali, Rwanda, that focuses on providing accessible personal care and health products for women in Rwanda and Kenya. Founded in 2016, Kasha offers a wide range of products, including bath and body items, menstrual care supplies such as sanitary pads and tampons, and sexual health products including contraceptives and lubricants. The company also provides pharmaceuticals, pain relievers, supplements, and mom and baby care products. Kasha aims to promote health for women at all stages of life, addressing needs related to maternal health, menstrual hygiene, family planning, and chronic diseases. By operating both online and in urban and rural areas, Kasha seeks to enhance accessibility to essential health and personal care products.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Kasha is an e-commerce platform based in Kigali, Rwanda, that focuses on providing accessible personal care and health products for women in Rwanda and Kenya. Founded in 2016, Kasha offers a wide range of products, including bath and body items, menstrual care supplies such as sanitary pads and tampons, and sexual health products including contraceptives and lubricants. The company also provides pharmaceuticals, pain relievers, supplements, and mom and baby care products. Kasha aims to promote health for women at all stages of life, addressing needs related to maternal health, menstrual hygiene, family planning, and chronic diseases. By operating both online and in urban and rural areas, Kasha seeks to enhance accessibility to essential health and personal care products.