Kasha, an East African E-commerce platform for women by women has secured a $1 million investment from finfund. The E-commerce platform which was founded in Rwanda in 2016 and 3 years later launched in Kenya, is dedicated to providing genuine health, hygiene and self-care products in East Africa.
The online health and personal care products company since its formation has worked to give women access to the products they need in a confidential, convenient and affordable way. Their products include; menstrual care products, bath and body, sexual health contraceptives & HIV self-tests, beauty products and baby products. Kasha aims to be a trusted source of information especially around stigmatized products and operates in close cooperation with selected health partners. Managing to serve over 55, 000 clients, of which 75% are low-income, and delivering close to 600, 000 products out of which 275 000+ are health products.
“We are a very purpose-driven company with a strong focus on our customers. We deliver the products that women actually want and need in a way that is most private and discreet for them”, says Kasha’s CEO Joanna Bichsel. “What drives us is that we can change the way women in emerging markets get their health products. Partnering with Finnfund, we look forward to growing our presence in Rwanda and Kenya as well as expanding to other countries in Africa – and eventually to other parts of the world.”
Finfund is committed to investing 105 million euros in businesses that advance gender equality during 2019-2021. The investment in Kasha promotes gender equality by creating access to health-related products as well as creating employment and leadership opportunities for women.
Finnfund started negotiations with Kasha in February 2020. “We were convinced by their strong mission and at the same time, we see that e-commerce is rapidly growing its share of consumer spending”, says Finnfund’s Investment Manager Johanna Raehalme. “During the investment process, Kasha’s role has become more relevant than ever: At the moment, they are preparing for an active role in protecting people from COVID-19”, says Raehalme.
Kasha is working on identifying technology solutions that will help to salvage the COVID-19 situation. They are also supporting directives by the Ministry of Health, in Kenya and Rwanda to serve as a channel for the safe delivery of COVID-19 protection related products, information and services.
Kasha is a great E-commerce platform that increases women’s access to health products and health information while also employing low-income women in the rural communities as Kasha agents. Click here, to visit their e-commerce platform.
The platform also caters to a variety of customers, including students, young professionals, low-income women, and new mothers. That means there’s a possibility of retaining a customer for life, from adolescence through adulthood.
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