Leta Raises $5M to Expand Logistics Tech Across African Markets

Tackling Africa's High Logistics Costs with AI

Founded in 2022, Leta is focused on addressing one of Africa’s pressing logistical challenges: the high cost of moving goods across the continent. Businesses in the region reportedly pay up to four times more than the global average for transport, directly impacting the affordability of essential goods like food and medicine. Through its AI-powered platform, Leta offers tools for route optimization, real-time tracking, payment management, and shipment data analysis, aiming to lower these costs and improve operational transparency.

The company’s $5 million seed round was led by Speedinvest, with participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Equator VC. The funding will be used to enhance product development and support expansion into markets such as Rwanda and Mauritius, building on existing operations in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Strong Growth and Regional Impact

Since its pre-seed round in 2022, Leta has recorded 5X revenue growth, managed over 4.5 million deliveries, and transported more than 150,000 tonnes of goods. The platform is currently used to manage a fleet of 7,400 vehicles, providing logistics support to a growing list of business clients.

Commenting on the funding round, Nick Joshi, Founder and CEO of Leta, said, “This funding comes at a critical time for us. Our investors’ backing validates our vision and progress.” CTO Kip Maritim noted that the company’s technology is tailored specifically to Africa’s fragmented logistics environment, rather than relying on generic, off-the-shelf solutions.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders

Leta has partnered with notable brands including KFC, EABL, Fargo Courier, and Gilani’s Distributors. These businesses report significant operational improvements after adopting Leta’s platform. Jacques Theunissen, CEO of Kuku Foods (KFC Uganda), stated that the company had “significantly improved KPIs such as delivery timelines and rider availability.”

Similarly, Alvin Mbugua, General Manager Spirits at Diageo, pointed to the platform’s ability to bring “dynamism and agility” to last-mile delivery in the consumer goods space. Fargo Courier's Gray Cullen expressed satisfaction in how Leta complements their existing delivery infrastructure, while Faiz Gilani of Gilani’s Distributors said the platform helped reduce returns and improve efficiency across their operations.

A Multi-Sector Platform with Broader Goals

While Leta operates primarily in the logistics tech space, it also intersects with fintech and climate tech. Nijhad Jamal, Managing Partner at Equator VC, emphasized the scope of the company’s mission, noting that Leta “can be classified as all of the above,” reflecting the scale of the challenge it addresses.