Kenyan logistics technology startup—Leta—has secured US$5 million in seed funding to expand its platform aimed at reducing supply chain costs across Africa, a continent where businesses pay up to four times the global average to move goods.
- •The funding round, led by European venture capital firm Speedinvest, saw participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Equator VC.
- •The capital injection will support Leta’s push to refine its AI-powered platform, expand its market presence, and further integrate fintech solutions into its logistics network.
- •Leta, founded in 2022, addresses one of the largest cost burdens in African economies—logistics; with transport costs in some regions consuming as much as 70% of the cost of goods sold.
“This funding comes at a critical time for us. Our investors’ backing validates our vision and progress. With this capital, we’re looking to refine our product to empower more businesses with a cost-effective, data-driven supply chain,” said Leta founder and CEO Nick Joshi.
The company’s software optimizes delivery routes, tracks shipments in real time, and streamlines payments, turning logistics data into actionable business insights. Since its pre-seed round in 2022, Leta has expanded its operations from Kenya to Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, managing 7,400 vehicles and facilitating over 4.5 million deliveries. It has also achieved 5× revenue growth.
Among Leta’s customers are major players such as KFC, East African Breweries Ltd. (EABL), Fargo Courier, and Gilani’s. Jacques Theunissen, CEO of Kuku Foods (KFC Uganda), credited Leta’s platform for improving key delivery metrics, including rider availability and delivery timelines. Alvin Mbugua, General Manager for Spirits at Diageo defined Leta as a “cutting edge technology platform”.
“Africa’s logistics challenges demand more than off-the-shelf solutions. Our AI-driven technology is built to tackle the continent’s complex terrain and fragmented systems, delivering efficiency and transparency that businesses here have never had before,” said Kip Maritim, Leta’s Chief Technology Officer.
Venture capital firms are increasingly looking at Africa’s logistics sector as a gateway to fintech opportunities. Speedinvest partner Deepali Nangia cited Leta’s ability to drive efficiency in last-mile delivery for major brands as a key factor behind the firm’s investment.
“Leta’s diverse and experienced leadership team is revolutionizing logistics in emerging markets, where transport costs can account for up to 70% of the Cost of Goods sold,” said Speedinvest Partner Deepali Nangia.
Leta is now looking to expand into new markets, including Rwanda and Mauritius, while enhancing its platform’s AI capabilities. The company is also positioning itself at the intersection of logistics, fintech, and climate-tech.
