Kasha Global launched in 2016 to improve access to menstrual care products, contraceptives and pharmaceuticals for low-income women in Africa. Customers can order goods and medications from even feature mobile phones. A network of mostly female agents handles last-mile delivery in Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya and South Africa, and soon, West Africa.
Kasha raised an undisclosed amount of equity capital from Sanofi’s Global Health Unit to expand delivery of medications for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension in the markets it serves. Sanofi’s investment will “make it easier and more affordable for people to get the medications they need, especially lower income and rural customers,” said Kasha’s Joanna Bichsel.
The investment follows a $21 million in a Series B equity round last year that was led by South African private equity firm Knife Capital.
Investing in health
Sanofi’s Global Health Unit, the nonprofit arm of the Paris-based pharmaceutical company, was set up to provide access to affordably priced drugs to people in low- and middle-income countries. It sells blood thinners for heart disease, as well as diabetes and cancer drugs. The nonprofit has reached about 250,000 people and aims to serve two million by 2030.
“We recognize the importance of investing in local entrepreneurial businesses that strengthen and support sustainable healthcare delivery models and improve outcomes,” Sanofi Global Health Unit’s Jon Fairest said. He cited Kasha’s “unique physical and tech infrastructure for the last mile.”
