Wasoko

Wasoko has become one of the fastest-growing companies in Africa by making it convenient for mom-and-pop stores to order essential goods at any time via SMS or its mobile app for free same-day delivery to their stores. It has facilitated 5 million orders to sellers of goods like rice, sugar, and soap to maintain their stock and provide essential products to local communities in such countries as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s a huge difference maker in rural areas where supply chains are shaky and big chain retailers are rarely found. Wasoko’s platform has also disbursed $43 million in financing to retailers for projects designed to help them grow their revenue. The company raised $125 million in a financing round last year that valued it at $625 million.