ProXalys, a Senegalese B2B ecommerce startup targeting retailers in the informal sector, has raised $150,000 in pre-seed funding. The investment was led by Haskè Ventures. 

“The informal sector is a target whose digitization is vital,” Thierno Sakho says, the startup’s founder and CEO. “We seek to improve and modernize the distribution channels by innovating on the operating procedures currently in place. Our goal is to empower informal enterprises to withstand the continent’s giant multinational corporations’ double digital and distribution revolutions.

ProXalys plans to deploy in the Dakar region and key Senegalese cities thanks to the funding. It also has the long-term goal of expanding throughout the West African sub-region. The funds will also be used to improve the startup’s technical and technological tools, as well as its physical infrastructure (consolidation of the vehicle fleet and warehouses).

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The successes of the ProXalys team delighted Abdourahmane Diop, Managing Director of Haskè Ventures. 

“We believe that technology can play an important role in modernizing Africa’s informal infrastructure. Its digitization is a big issue that must be met not only by upgrading operational processes, but also by financial literacy and education among its actors,” Abdourahmane Diop said. 

A Look At What ProXalys Does

ProXalys, which was founded in 2021 by ex-banker Thierno Sakho, provides a supply service for everyday consumer goods (such as onions and potatoes) with installment payments and free delivery within 24 hours after being unable to give credit for a variety of reasons, including the existing legal framework in Senegal. 

ProXalys has gained over several merchants in the Dakar region, with over a hundred recurring customers.

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The company is also attempting to revive Senegal’s agricultural value chains. Senegal loses 150 million dollars (100 billion CFA francs) in agricultural losses each year due to a lack of outlets. 

“We support producers of all sizes by acting as the sole intermediary between them and informal retail distributors,” Thierno Sakho says. 

ProXalys has three tools for managing and capturing daily financial flows, in real time: the ProXalys order taking application for informal distributors; an IT system for administrative management, order tracking, and payment management; and a supply chain logistics management system (stocks, warehouses, transportation, and delivery).

Hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, wholesalers and semi-wholesalers are some of ProXalys’ customers. 

The emergence in Senegal of huge distribution chains such as Auchan or Carrefour over the last ten years has disrupted the informal sector, which still accounts for 90% of the Senegalese economy. ProXalys’ value proposition intends to digitize the whole value chain in order to reimagine traditional supply methods for businesses in this vast area.

B2B Ecommerce Startup ProXalys B2B Ecommerce Startup ProXalys

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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