Rwandan startup Kasha raised additional funds to expand its digital healthcare services

In order to support its growth into more African nations, Rwandan startup Kasha, a digital platform for last-mile access to healthcare, has obtained equity funding from Sanofi Global Health Unit’s Impact Investment Fund.

Kasha, a digital retail and last-mile distribution platform for fast-moving consumer goods and pharmaceuticals, was established in 2016. It provides real, affordable products to hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, resellers, and consumers.

Kasha provides pharmaceutical manufacturers and global health organizations with increased access to high-quality health products through marketing, consumer insights, and end-to-end distribution visibility to the last mile. Kasha also acts as a channel partner for businesses, leveraging its sales and last-mile distribution network, data analytics, and e-health services.

The company has targeted women as its target market, knowing that they are the most influential group when it comes to household and health products, but they are also the most underserved.

After successfully raising US $21 million in a Series B funding round last year to support its expansion, Kasha has now attracted additional funding from the Impact Investment Fund, which is managed by the global health unit of multinational pharmaceutical company Sanofi.

This investment will help Kasha continue to grow by enabling it to expand into more African nations, improve the functionality of its technology platform, and promote fair access to health products throughout the continent.

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

“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.”

The head of Sanofi Global Health Unit, Jon Fairest, expressed his excitement about being an investor and partner in Kasha’s scaling-up process.

“Kasha has built a unique physical and tech infrastructure for the last mile, enabling greater access to basic health products even in the most remote areas leveraging adjusted supply chain and a broad network of agents. We recognise the importance of investing in local entrepreneurial businesses that strengthen and support sustainable healthcare delivery models and improve outcomes. Sanofi’s Global Health Unit is dedicated to improving access to sustainable healthcare for vulnerable populations with the highest unmet medical needs,” he said.