ANKA, an Ivorian SaaS e-commerce platform for African firms, raised $5 million in a pre-Series A extension deal. ANKA has funded $13.5 million since its founding seven years ago, including this stock and debt transaction.
IFC led the investment round. Investment bank Bpifrance and development financing agency Proparco were also involved.
According to an article, ANKA wants 100,000 African merchants by 2030. The debt will cover short-term cash cycles like shipping and payment float. The company wants to use the new funding to boost product creation and grow its services, especially in Nigeria, Kenya, and the US, its three most significant markets.
Formerly Afrikrea, ANKA. Clothing, accessories, arts, and crafts from or inspired by Africa were sold there. It benefited over 7,000 sellers from 47 African countries and tens of thousands of clients from 170 countries.
The company became a SaaS e-commerce platform in 2021. Merchandisers preferred one platform over websites and social media.
Startup CEO Tabourè Moulaye spoke. As a SaaS e-commerce platform, we help merchants focus on one platform instead of websites and social media. Thus, ANKA is a one-stop shop for exporters who want to ship globally, online merchants, aggregate orders, and drop shippers who want to create jobs, produce, and ship from Africa while receiving global payment.
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All About ANKA
ANKA worked with Visa and DHL to start its platform, making sure it meets the needs of its customers in e-commerce, payments, and international shipping. ANKA promotes itself as an all-in-one SaaS solution for global African companies.
The platform consists of ANKA Marketplace, ANKA Pay, and ANKA Shipping. ANKA Marketplace has a customisable online storefront and an omnichannel interface that lets sellers track their sales and merchandise across Africa, social media platforms, and websites.
ANKA Pay lets people do business using local payment methods like mobile money, bank transfers, and Visa cards. Also, ANKA Shipping uses DHL’s services to send goods from Africa to other countries in under 72 hours for less than $30.
Inception of the development of ANKA
ANKA has grown a lot since its last purchase. Its profit rates and the number of African SMEs in 47 countries have almost doubled. Last year, more than a million people visited the platform monthly, and $50 million was traded in 175 countries.
Because of this, ANKA’s income has grown 18 times, from €200,000 to €3.6 million. Most of the more than 20,000 sellers are in Nigeria and Kenya. The US, with more than 350,000 buyers, is the platform’s biggest market, followed by France.
Its success shows that e-commerce is growing in Africa. E-commerce is widespread in Nigeria, Kenya, and the US, where many people from Africa live. As the startup invests in and supports Africa’s creative economy worldwide, these markets offer tremendous opportunities.
The study shows that the company differs from other African e-commerce platforms because it exports goods from Africa. As the most significant e-commerce exporter company on the continent, it moves more than 10 tonnes of goods each month.
With the new money, the company can grow its market share, add more services, and help African businesses participate in global e-commerce. The company’s unique approach and focus on exporting products from Africa prepare it to grow in the ever-changing e-commerce industry.