South African agricultural supply chain set for a transformation as Khula raises ZAR126 million in Series A funding
South African agri-tech startup Khula has secured significant funding, raising approximately US$6.8 million in its Series A round, backed by major investors such as Absa Bank, PepsiCo's Kgodiso Fund, AECI, and E Squared. This investment marks a crucial step towards Khula's mission to build an inclusive mobile marketplace that empowers emerging farmers, optimizing logistics, and disrupting the wholesale food market in Africa.
Post-funding, Khula has been actively developing its digital platform, which is transforming the agricultural supply chain by directly linking farmers with buyers. The platform, consisting of three core components - Fresh Produce Marketplace, Inputs Marketplace, and Funder Dashboard - has grown since its pilot phase with 400 farmers to serve over 7,000 active users and offer a catalog of more than 5,000 agricultural products.
The digital platform is playing a pivotal role in enhancing food security across South Africa's farming sector. With this rapid expansion, Khula is demonstrating the transformative power of technology in the agricultural sector. Absa Bank, a key financial supporter of South African agriculture, has shown commitment to backing digital solutions that drive efficiency and productivity in the industry.
Khula's success has been evident in its ability to attract major investors. The company plans to extend the Series A funding round later this year to leverage the rising demand for its services. The funds will be used to scale operations, grow the user base, and strengthen digital infrastructure.
The startup, founded in 2018, provides a digital ecosystem addressing agricultural value chain challenges. Recent Innovation Symposium events have highlighted the potential of Khula's tools and network to scale agricultural impact. Stakeholders have deep-dived into leveraging Khula's platform to empower farmers in growing their agribusiness.
Technology-driven solutions, as demonstrated by Khula, are increasingly efficient in South Africa's farming sector. The company's digital platform is set to revolutionize the agricultural industry, positioning itself as a disruptive force in South African agriculture.
Technology-driven solutions, such as the digital platform developed by Khula, are playing a crucial role in innovating South Africa's agricultural sector. This platform, which is backed by venture capitalists like Absa Bank, PepsiCo's Kgodiso Fund, AECI, and E Squared, is transforming the agricultural supply chain by connecting farmers with buyers directly.
