Posted by Ramani, a Tanzanian start-up focused on consumer-packaged goods (CPG) supply chains, has raised $32m in a Series A debt-equity round. The funding will be used to expand its operations in Tanzania and introduce new financial services. The round was led by Flexcap Ventures, serial entrepreneur Jared Schreiber, and is backed by Y Combinator.
Ramani provides inventory management systems, procurement, and point-of-sale software to its network of micro-distribution centers (MDCs) to enhance the management of their inventory and operations.
MDCs are critical for ensuring consumer goods reach informal traders, but many still rely on unreliable manual processes. Ramani recently received a lending license from the Bank of Tanzania and has already introduced a 30-day inventory financing product. The company plans to launch other products, including a 14-day revolving line of credit that will allow distributors in its network to borrow up to $500 interest-free.
The Supply Chain Lab 