Kasha, an e-commerce platform improving womenโs access to genuine health, hygiene and self-care products in East Africa has raised undisclosed fund from Sanofi to scale up the awareness of for Non-Communicable Diseases (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.
Kasha was founded in 2016 in Rwanda and has since expanded to Kenya and has served thousands of low-income populations with affordable health products.
According to Joanna Bichsel, Kasha’s Founder and CEO: โItโs 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. Leveraging Kashaโs 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.โ
Kasha sells health products and household goods via its online platform. The health products are delivered to the last mile in multiple African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria among other countries. Kasha also works with manufacturers, global health organizations and governments offering a sustainable solution for market access in Africa for pharmaceuticals and fast moving consumer goods with end to end data visibility.
Kasha has previously secured a $21 million Series B investment led by Knife Capital, with participation from other investors to expand its platform further into South Africa and West Africa. Kasha’s previous seed funding of $1.5 million and a Series A investment of $3.6 million. In 2020, it secured $1 million investment from Finnfund for pan-African expansion. Mastercard in 2021 invested into Kasha Global to ensure women across emerging markets have essential access to health and personal care products along with the information required to support everyday hygiene needs.
Jon Fairest, Sanofi Head of the Global Health Unit, says: โWe are excited to play a role in Kashaโs scale-up journey as an investor and partner through the Global Health Unit’s Impact Investment Fund. 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 recognize the importance of investing in local entrepreneurial businesses that strengthen and support sustainable healthcare delivery models and improve outcomes. Sanofiโs Global Health Unit is dedicated to improving access to sustainable healthcare for vulnerable populations with the highest unmet medical needs.โ