U.S. International Development Finance Corp

Ilara Health, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, focuses on enhancing healthcare access in rural Africa by developing and distributing AI-powered diagnostic devices. These compact devices are designed for primary care doctors in peri-urban and rural clinics, providing accurate and affordable diagnostic services. Ilara Health integrates its technology within a proprietary platform that connects to an electronic medical record system, allowing healthcare providers to efficiently record and manage patient data. By leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure, Ilara Health aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of diagnostic services in underserved regions.

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up focused on transforming public transportation in Kenya and Rwanda by providing electric buses as a cost-effective alternative to diesel. The company employs a pay-as-you-go model, which simplifies the transition for bus operators by including maintenance and battery charging in the financing plan. BasiGo's electric buses are designed to operate throughout the day on a single charge, utilizing proven and safe battery technology. This approach not only addresses the rising costs of diesel fuel but also aims to make electric buses affordable and accessible to all bus owners, thereby promoting sustainable and efficient public transport solutions in the region.

Inputi is an online marketplace and distributor based in Kampala, Uganda, designed to connect smallholder farmers with quality agricultural inputs at affordable prices. The platform serves as an aggregator for various farm supplies, including fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides, allowing farmers to access a comprehensive range of products through a single portal. In addition to supplying farm inputs, Inputi offers insurance coverage to protect farmers against unforeseen circumstances, enhancing their resilience and sustainability in agricultural practices. Through its services, Inputi aims to empower farmers by simplifying access to essential resources needed for successful farming.

Pezesha is a digital financial marketplace based in Nairobi, Kenya, that connects small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to various financing options, including working capital, float financing, and LPO financing. Founded in 2016, Pezesha aims to enhance access to affordable credit for micro-businesses by leveraging credit and data analytics to link lenders with low-income borrowers. The platform facilitates a shared economy by converging lending and other financial services, thereby enabling underserved SMBs to participate in the formal financial system. Through its innovative approach, Pezesha seeks to empower businesses and improve their growth potential by providing essential financial resources.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Blencowe Resources plc, incorporated in 2017 and based in Rugby, United Kingdom, is focused on the exploration and development of the Orom Graphite Project located in the Republic of Uganda. The company holds mining licenses for an extensive area of approximately 520,000 hectares, with a commitment to advancing the project's potential. Originally known as Cora Gold Limited, Blencowe Resources aims to strategically acquire additional companies or business ventures to enhance its operations and growth trajectory within the mining sector.

Blencowe Resources plc, incorporated in 2017 and based in Rugby, United Kingdom, is focused on the exploration and development of the Orom Graphite Project located in the Republic of Uganda. The company holds mining licenses for an extensive area of approximately 520,000 hectares, with a commitment to advancing the project's potential. Originally known as Cora Gold Limited, Blencowe Resources aims to strategically acquire additional companies or business ventures to enhance its operations and growth trajectory within the mining sector.

Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings is a leading U.S-Kenyan company that supports a Kenyan-based biopesticide processing business that aggregates, extracts, and refines pale refine extract (PRE) from the pyrethrum flower, and sells the PRE to formulators across the world. Kentegra is committed to improving farmer’s livelihoods by investing in the communities where we are working to help farmers and their families have a more stable income and better quality of life. Grants: Norad 2021, AgriFi 2020, USAID 2020, USAID 2019, DEG 2020, DEG 2019

Kasha is a Rwanda-based e-commerce company, established in 2016, that operates in Rwanda and Kenya. It specializes in distributing a wide range of personal care and health products tailored to women, including menstrual care, sexual health items, pharmaceuticals, and mom and baby care products. Kasha's online platform ensures accessibility to these products in both urban and rural areas, promoting women's health and well-being at various life stages.

Africa Data Centres operates a network of interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre facilities across the continent, facilitating digital transformation for businesses. By leveraging global expertise tailored for local markets, Africa Data Centres offers rapid and secure data centre services and interconnections. Their strategically located facilities serve as vital hubs for critical business data, providing access to numerous leading cloud providers, carriers, and enterprises. The East Africa Data Centre, situated in Nairobi's Sameer Industrial Park, is particularly notable for its optimal hosting capabilities for both African and international companies. It connects to extensive carrier networks throughout Kenya and offers long-distance fibre routes to several neighboring countries, making it a key node in East Africa's connectivity landscape.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Apollo Agriculture, established in 2015, is a Kenyan agtech company based in Nairobi. It specializes in providing smallholder farmers with access to critical farming inputs, financing, and advisory services. Apollo's innovative platform employs agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology to assess credit risk and tailor financial and technical assistance to each farmer's unique needs and location. This approach enables farmers to enhance their yields and profits, with a focus on emerging markets, starting in Kenya.

Ampersand is a company based in Kigali, Rwanda, that focuses on manufacturing affordable electric vehicles and charging systems specifically for motorcycle taxi drivers in East Africa. By providing a battery swap network and an operating system, Ampersand aims to make sustainable mobility more accessible and affordable in developing markets. The company's initiatives not only enhance the livelihoods of local drivers but also contribute positively to the environment. As of January 2024, Ampersand has attracted 2,000 customers who collectively travel 1.5 million kilometers weekly in Nairobi and Kigali, illustrating the growing demand for electric mobility solutions in the region.

Kasha is a Rwanda-based e-commerce company, established in 2016, that operates in Rwanda and Kenya. It specializes in distributing a wide range of personal care and health products tailored to women, including menstrual care, sexual health items, pharmaceuticals, and mom and baby care products. Kasha's online platform ensures accessibility to these products in both urban and rural areas, promoting women's health and well-being at various life stages.

Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Kasha is a Rwanda-based e-commerce company, established in 2016, that operates in Rwanda and Kenya. It specializes in distributing a wide range of personal care and health products tailored to women, including menstrual care, sexual health items, pharmaceuticals, and mom and baby care products. Kasha's online platform ensures accessibility to these products in both urban and rural areas, promoting women's health and well-being at various life stages.