Leta, a Kenyan logistics software startup, has raised $5 million in seed funding to expand its AI-driven platform across Africa. The round was led by European venture capital firm Speedinvest, with participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund and climate-focused investor Equator.
AI-Powered Logistics Optimization
Leta’s platform streamlines logistics by optimizing delivery routes, tracking shipments in real time, and automating dispatch planning. By integrating with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, point-of-sale (POS) platforms, and order management systems (OMS), Leta significantly reduces distribution costs and fleet inefficiencies.
Rapid Growth and Market Expansion
Since its $3 million pre-seed round in 2022, Leta has expanded into Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The company has grown from managing 500,000 deliveries to 4.5 million, increasing its fleet from 2,000 to 7,400 vehicles.
Fintech and Logistics Innovation
With the new funding, Leta plans to introduce fintech-driven solutions, including fuel cards for delivery partners, asset financing for logistics vehicles, and supply chain financing for FMCG merchants. Google’s Africa Investment Fund also recognized Leta’s mapping technology as a valuable enhancement to Google Maps for localized logistics insights.
Addressing Africa’s Logistics Challenge
Logistics costs in Africa can reach up to 75% of product prices, according to the African Development Bank. Leta aims to tackle this issue by making transportation more efficient and affordable, ultimately improving accessibility to goods across the continent.
With strong investor backing and cutting-edge technology, Leta is poised to revolutionize Africa’s logistics sector, creating a more seamless and cost-effective supply chain.
