Introduction
Kasha, a pioneering Rwandan startup that provides digital solutions for last-mile access to health, has taken a significant step forward in its mission to improve healthcare delivery across Africa. The company has secured equity funding from the Sanofi Global Health Unit’s Impact Investment Fund, a move that will enable Kasha to extend its reach to more African countries and enhance its technological capabilities.
A Digital Platform for Last Mile Health Access
Founded in 2016, Kasha emerged as a digital retail and distribution platform designed to bridge the gap in access to essential pharmaceuticals and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) in Africa. The platform serves a diverse clientele, including consumers, resellers, pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, by providing them with genuine, affordable health products. Kasha’s model is built on ensuring that even the most remote and underserved communities have access to the quality products they need.
Empowering Enterprises Through Strategic Partnerships
Beyond its retail operations, Kasha acts as a crucial channel partner for enterprises. By leveraging its extensive sales and distribution network, coupled with robust data analytics and e-health services, Kasha enables pharmaceutical manufacturers and global health organizations to expand their reach. Through these partnerships, Kasha facilitates increased access to quality health products, offering marketing support, consumer insights, and end-to-end distribution visibility, all the way to the last mile.
Kasha’s Core Customer Segment
Kasha’s strategy is uniquely optimized to serve women, who represent the most influential segment for health products and household goods. Despite their critical role, women in many regions remain underserved. Recognizing this, Kasha has tailored its services to meet the needs of women, ensuring that they have better access to the health products essential to their families’ wellbeing.
A History of Growth and Strategic Investments
In 2022, Kasha made headlines when it raised a significant US$21 million Series B funding round. This capital injection was instrumental in driving the company’s expansion efforts. Building on this momentum, Kasha has now attracted further investment from the Sanofi Global Health Unit’s Impact Investment Fund. This latest funding round will support Kasha’s ambitions to scale its operations across more African countries, enhance its technological platform, and further its mission to ensure equitable access to health products across the continent.
A Partnership with Sanofi: Scaling Up Health Access and Awareness
The partnership with Sanofi represents a strategic alignment for Kasha, particularly in addressing the growing demand for solutions to manage Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension. With Sanofi’s support, Kasha plans to scale up awareness campaigns for NCDs and other critical health issues. The goal is to make it easier and more affordable for people, especially those in lower-income and rural areas, to access the medications they need.
Joanna Bichsel, Kasha’s founder and CEO, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “It’s an exciting milestone for Kasha to partner so closely with Sanofi, 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 solutions to manage 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 Technology for Impact: Kasha’s Vision for the Future
Kasha’s approach is rooted in leveraging its advanced technology platform to drive access to health products in a customer-driven and data-driven manner. The company’s innovative use of technology not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures that its services are tailored to the specific needs of its customers. This technology-driven approach, combined with the strategic partnership with Sanofi, positions Kasha to play a transformative role in improving healthcare access across Africa.
Jon Fairest, head of the Sanofi Global Health Unit, shared his excitement about the partnership, stating, “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 an 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. Sanofi’s Global Health Unit is dedicated to improving access to sustainable healthcare for vulnerable populations with the highest unmet medical needs.”
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Sustainable Healthcare Delivery
As Kasha continues to expand its footprint across Africa, the company remains committed to its core mission of improving access to quality health products for underserved populations. The strategic investment from Sanofi will not only accelerate Kasha’s expansion but also enhance its ability to deliver impactful healthcare solutions that reach even the most remote areas. With a strong foundation, an innovative platform, and strategic partnerships, Kasha is poised to lead the way in transforming healthcare access in Africa.
