Anka, an Ivorian e-commerce company that has a substantial presence in Nigeria and Kenya, has secured $5 million in a pre-Series A extension round. This funding comes after the company’s successful $6.2 million pre-Series A round in the previous year. Anka, previously known as Afrikrea, expanded its offerings beyond a marketplace for African clothes and art, incorporating payment (Anka Pay) and shipping (Anka Shipping) solutions in collaboration with DHL and Visa. The startup, founded by Luc B. Perussault Diallo, Moulaye Taboure, and Kadry Diallo, plans to utilize the funds to bolster its sales, technical, and product teams, with the goal of increasing its vendor count from 20,000 to 100,000 by 2030.
Key Points:
- Ivorian e-commerce startup Anka has raised $5 million in a pre-Series A extension round, following a successful $6.2 million pre-Series A round in the previous year.
- The funding round was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and saw participation from Proparco and Bpifrance, an investment bank.
- Anka’s expansion beyond its marketplace roots includes the incorporation of payment (Anka Pay) and shipping (Anka Shipping) solutions in collaboration with DHL and Visa.
- The startup aims to enhance its processes and build teams to accommodate its growing community of buyers and sellers, which has seen over 1 million monthly visits and $50 million in transactions.
- Anka plans to use the funding to strengthen its sales, technical, and product teams, and has set an ambitious target of increasing its vendor count from 20,000 to 100,000 by 2030.
Analysis: Anka’s successful funding rounds reflect the growing confidence and interest in e-commerce startups, particularly in regions like francophone Africa. The expansion of its services to encompass payments and shipping demonstrates the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for its users. With the additional funding, Anka is poised to further establish itself as a prominent player in the Ivorian and regional e-commerce landscape.
Background: Anka, formerly known as Afrikrea, is an Ivorian e-commerce company that offers a platform for African fashion and art. The startup’s recent expansion includes the integration of payment and shipping solutions in collaboration with DHL and Visa. Founded by Luc B. Perussault Diallo, Moulaye Taboure, and Kadry Diallo, Anka aims to facilitate e-commerce activities across various African markets. (Published by Market News Nigeria)