After investing in Dabchy in 2020, Orange Ventures has now invested in Tunisian mobility startup Lamma, which specializes in last-mile mobility (Last Mile Mobility) and has just launched its new Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce) application, which aims to revolutionize customer experience in Tunisia by delivering all everyday orders in less than 45 minutes.

“We look forward to the support of Orange Ventures at this stage of the development of our project. We wish with this investment continue our acceleration by concentrating all our efforts to provide the best distribution and to quickly conquer other Tunisian cities, before expanding internationally in early 2022, beginning with Morocco,” said Yassir El Ismaili El Idrissi , CEO of Lamma.

Why Orange Ventures Invested

Lamma has relatively been gaining traction since inception. The startup now has over 1,000 items and eateries, including grocery and fresh produce, beauty products, fashion and parapharmacy, as well as electrical accessories and smartphones. Lamma has equally already convinced more than 150 partner merchants to join its network. 

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“This second investment in Tunisia, which we were able to make thanks to Orange Fab’s local support, confirms our belief in the Tunisian start-up ecosystem’s potential. We believe that in North Africa and Tunisia, the Super App model should be prioritised, including through the use of the most advanced smartphones and online consumption equipment. We believe the Lamma team will play a key role in this transition, which we’ve seen in other parts of the world, such as Asia with Wechat and Go-Jek, or Latin America with Rappi, to name a few examples,” said Gregory of Padirac, the chief at Orange Ventures. 

Orange Ventures is a 350 million euro multi-stage technological investment fund with a worldwide focus. It invests in innovative startups in Orange’s strategic sectors (networks and IT, digital business, cybersecurity, and financial technology) and beyond (Consumer Platforms, E-Gaming, Edtech, Health etc.). Orange Ventures also deploys initiatives focused on Africa and the Middle East, as well as businesses with a social impact. The Fund, which is backed by the Orange Group, offers access to the group’s experience and creates synergies between its various commercial units and 257 million consumers across 26 countries to the businesses in whom it invests.

A Look At What The Startup Does

Lamma, founded by Hamza Guesmi and Koussi Aymen this year, has devised an ultra-fast logistics system based on delivery oversight and complete automation. 

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The startup’s first two Dark Tunisian Blinds boutiques in Tunis are 100% focused on ultra-fast delivery. The global trend of Q-commerce is a trade that is very close to the consumer and more computerized, allowing the startup to free up time and energy for their social lives. 

In a few weeks, these Dark Stores will be operational, covering half of the Greater Tunis region. 

Lamma plans to open three more Dark Stores by the end of the year, covering 80 percent of Greater Tunis’s population.

The startup had previously focused on carpooling in its first year of operation and was able to build a base of 15,000 users. 

Tunisian mobility Lamma Tunisian mobility Lamma

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer