Africa fintech EZRA, logistics-tech startup Cathedis and Zuri Health snag funding
EZRA, a micro-lending fintech company that provides credit solutions across Africa and emerging markets, has secured an undisclosed amount in funding from Apis Growth Fund II, a private equity fund managed by Apis Partners, a UK-based asset manager that also backs venture-growth stage companies in the financial services domain.
Erwan Gelebart-led EZRA partners with financial institutions and platforms – such as mobile wallets, mobile networks, utilities and e-commerce companies – to offer customized lending products including cash loans, token advances, airtime credits and device financing to their clients, all based on a single integration.
It has built strategic partnerships in more than 20 countries in Africa and serves over 40 million unique users monthly. As a result of this new investment, EZRA plans to accelerate its geographical expansion, growth and talent acquisition. It will focus on targeted new segments, particularly SMEs, which are the backbone of emerging markets’ economies and are still financially underserved.
Zuri Health
Kenya’s Zuri Health has secured an undisclosed amount from Moroccan venture investor UM6P. UM6P Ventures is an African based early-stage investor operating two funds; a Digital Transformation fund and a Deeptech Ventures fund. It invests in pre-seed and seed startups alongside partners.
Launched in 2021, Zuri Health is a telemedicine company that provides healthcare services to patients across Africa via mobile app, website, WhatsApp chatbot, and SMS service. The app allows patients to chat and consult with doctors, buy medication from pharmacies, book labs and diagnostic tests, and schedule home visits with licensed medical doctors.
UM6P Ventures’ investment will be used to enhance its current technology, hire additional staff, and expand the services and markets available to patients.
Zuri Health has onboarded over 600 doctors to its platform besides over 16 pharmacy partners and 29 lab partners, including PharmaPlus and Ilara Health. Through these partnerships, Zuri Health has recorded over 10,000 lab and pharmacy orders and 24,000 WhatsApp Bot interactions.
Cathedis
Morocco-based logistics startup Cathedis has secured MDH 7.5 million ($735,500), of which MDH 5 million came from Afrimobility, the VC unit of AKWA Group, as a pre-Series a funding. CDG Invest pitched in with a bridge round of MDH 2.5 million after investing MDH 1 million via its 212 Founders programme in 2020.
Founded by Imad Mansour Zekri, Cathedis’ platform offers cloud-based warehousing and delivery solutions to local e-commerce stores and claims it has over 700 active clients.
