This funding round includes contributions of €500,000 ($546,890) from Mstudio and €250,000 ($273,358) from Saviu Ventures.

The capital will support Waribei’s mission of empowering local merchants by improving their access to stock.

This will enable them to boost sales and ensure the long-term sustainability of their businesses.

The fintech also aims to enhance its integration with financial institutions to offer customized, high-quality services that meet the specific needs of local entrepreneurs.

By addressing the financing gap, Waribei plans to transform informal commerce in the region and unlock new growth opportunities for both retailers and wholesalers.

Founded in 2023 by Ladislas Pham and Frédéric Fameni, Waribei connects banks, wholesalers, and retailers through a payment tool that formalizes access to working capital.

This solution enables retailers to purchase goods on credit, fostering their business growth.

Additionally, Waribei’s platform allows wholesalers to manage payment terms within traditional distribution channels, all supported by bank liquidity.

Co-founder Ladislas Pham emphasized the company’s approach of listening to retailers and wholesalers and spending time in the markets to understand their daily challenges.

“At Waribei, we want to ensure that merchants can grow their businesses without worrying about maintaining stock levels or struggling to secure loans,” he said.

Research shows that the informal sector plays a crucial role in African economies, with women making up a significant portion of participants.

However, limited access to financing has hindered the growth of this sector.

Mstudio, one of Waribei’s investors, acknowledged the importance of addressing this challenge, particularly for women traders, who often face difficulties in maintaining a steady stock supply due to inadequate access to traditional financing options. 

This fund, launched in collaboration with the Health Finance Coalition (HFC), is dedicated to enhancing innovative healthcare models across Africa by addressing key challenges in health financing and capacity building.

The fund attracted a diverse range of investors, including major players like the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco, Swedfund, and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Private sector contributors, such as Merck & Co., Inc., Philips, FSD Africa Investments, and Grand Challenges Canada, were also instrumental in reaching the fund’s milestone.

Additionally, philanthropic organizations like the Skoll and UBS Optimus foundations further backed the initiative, reflecting the growing interest in Africa’s healthcare sector, particularly through blended finance approaches that integrate public, private, and commercial funding sources.

The THF’s objective is to support enterprises that provide proven healthcare solutions, with a focus on serving vulnerable communities.

The fund offers debt and mezzanine financing to scale companies that focus on critical areas such as local supply chains, digital health innovations, and affordable care delivery models.

Ziad Oueslati, Founding Partner at AfricInvest, emphasized the significance of innovative financing models like the THF in addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges.

Martin Edlund, CEO of Malaria No More, echoed his views, highlighting the growing need for private sector investment as donor funding declines and African countries grapple with rising debt burdens.

THF has already committed $20 million to several ventures, including Africa Healthcare Network (AHN), a leading dialysis provider in sub-Saharan Africa, Insta Products, which manufactures therapeutic foods to combat malnutrition, and Kenya’s Lapaire Glasses, which provides affordable eye care solutions. 

These investments underscore the fund’s commitment to both immediate healthcare needs and long-term system improvements.

With sub-Saharan Africa bearing 20% of the global disease burden but receiving limited impact investment, the THF aims to bridge this gap by focusing on enterprises that are locally led and scalable.

The fund’s strategy aligns with the broader shift in development finance towards sustainable, private-sector-driven models that move beyond traditional donor funding.

As the THF grows, it plans to invest in more health-tech startups and healthcare delivery models that can improve access to care across Africa.

With its successful closing and strategic investments, the fund is well-positioned to foster long-term improvements in the continent’s healthcare systems and support the growth of its emerging health-tech sector.