These exciting additions to the company’s portfolio showcase the impact of their Fuzé initiative, dedicated to bridging the funding gap for Francophone startups.

The four startups include:

1. Valorigo – a Democratic Republic of Congo-based online marketplace that simplifies access to healthcare products for consumers while boosting visibility and sales for pharmacies. Supported by IMPACT Lab and Kobo Hub, Valorigo is revolutionizing healthcare access in the region.

2. Kwely Inc. – a B2B e-commerce platform championing Made-in-Africa products. The startup aspires to become the continent’s leading B2B marketplace. By connecting African buyers and sellers globally, Kwely aims to reshape perceptions of African products and streamline cross-border trade.

3. MONSAPO – a Tunisian startup specializing in eco-friendly cleaning products, is committed to circular economy principles, catering to both individuals and professionals. Their innovative, sustainable solutions offer an eco-conscious alternative in the cleaning industry.

4. REasy – a startup empowering African SMEs with efficient and cost-effective global financial transactions. By prioritizing speed, traceability, and cost reduction, REasy simplifies payment processes for African businesses, saving them valuable time and resources.

Digital Africa’s Fuzé initiative has been instrumental in transforming funding accessibility for Francophone startups.

Backed by Proparco, Fuzé fosters opportunities, facilitates funding, and amplifies visibility for tech solutions addressing Africa’s specific economic needs.

With an investment envelope of €6.5 million, Fuzé offers ideation tickets of €20K, follow-on tickets of €30K, and cumulative tickets of €50K, catering to startups at various stages of growth. 

Led by the Catalyst Fund, a group of investors committed to sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity, the funding will fuel Zebra CropBank’s expansion and empower farmers.

The investment targets scaling Zebra CropBank’s operations, primarily through deploying solar-powered micro-warehouses and strengthening its integrated trading platforms.

This addresses key challenges faced by smallholder farmers: limited storage capabilities, weak market linkages, and climate change vulnerability.

Zebra CropBank’s innovative model relies on constructing and leasing solar-powered micro-warehouses near farming communities.

These facilities enable farmers to securely store and insure their harvests, while a USSD platform ensures transparent storage and trading.

The impact is already tangible, with farmers experiencing up to 90% income increases and minimized storage losses.

Investors were drawn to Zebra CropBank’s potential for significant positive impact, recognizing its fact-based approach to tackling multifaceted challenges faced by smallholder farmers.

Its unique focus on post-harvest solutions – storage and market access – sets it apart in the agritech sector.

Currently operating in Enugu State with five established micro-warehouses and 1,400 registered farmers, Zebra CropBank offers climate-smart solutions tailored to smallholder needs.

The investment, led by San Francisco-based venture capital firm 1984 Ventures, will fuel Cleva’s expansion and development of new products aimed at simplifying cross-border financial transactions.

Founded in 2023 by Tolu Alabi and Philip Abel, Cleva addresses a pressing need in Africa’s burgeoning digital economy.

The platform helps users open US-based bank accounts, simplifying the process of receiving international payments in USD. This eliminates reliance on traditional remittance channels, often plagued by high fees and complex procedures.

With a user-friendly onboarding process requiring only a Bank Verification Number (BVN) and government-issued ID, Cleva has already witnessed impressive traction. In just four months since its Nigerian launch, the platform has processed over $1 million in monthly payments for thousands of users.

Cleva’s focus on customer experience and a unique business model differentiates it from competitors.

By providing a platform designed for ease of use and affordability, Cleva aims to democratize access to international financial services.

With the backing of established investors like Y Combinator, FirstCheck Africa, The Raba Partnership, and Byld Ventures, Cleva is poised to make a significant impact on the African financial landscape.

The investment, backed by prominent names like Tunde Akinnuwa (Duplo co-founder), Cameroon Angels Network, and Catalytic Africa, will fuel Koree’s mission to tackle the challenge of spare change in cash-heavy economies.

“We’re thrilled by the investor confidence in our vision,” says Koree founder Magalie Gauze-Sanga. “This funding will allow us to onboard more merchants, grow our user base, and refine our platform to achieve the perfect product-market fit.”

Koree’s platform tackles the problem of loose change by linking cards and digital wallets to a network of merchants.

Customers earn cashback on everyday purchases, while merchants gain access to tools for creating loyalty programs.

But Koree’s ambitions extend beyond spare change. Gauze-Sanga reveals plans for a new marketplace on the Koree app, offering shoppers rewards in 14 categories, from groceries and dining to movies and pharmacy.

To simplify the redemption process, Koree will collaborate with popular mobile money providers.

Since its launch in September 2022, Koree has amassed over 13,000 users, processed 50,000+ transactions, and generated 30,000 private wallets. Its revenue model combines merchant subscription fees and transaction commissions.

Koree’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. The startup emerged victorious in both the Orange Fab Cameroon and Ecobank Fintech Challenges, earning $50,000 in non-dilutive funding and valuable mentorship.

With a fresh round of backing and a clear roadmap, Koree seeks to disrupt the financial landscape in Cameroon and beyond, empowering both businesses and consumers through innovative savings and rewards solutions.