ANKA

active

 ANKA (or “the company” - https://www.anka.africa/services ) is a social e-commerce enabler headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that offers an all-in-one platform for merchants in African creative industry products to sell, ship and get paid globally. The company was founded in 2020 as a consumer -facing marketplace known as “Afrikrea” that targeted small fashion designers to sell their products globally. In 2020, the company rebranded to Anka and provided a platform that allows for online and offline transactions with support from DHL as a shipping partner and payment gateways with processors such as VISA. The platform therefore allows for all-in-one service to merchants consisting of (i) integration of social media/selling channels, (ii) payment solutions and electronic wallets, (iii) shipping, and (iv) single point of analysis, tracking and customer service. Goods sold on the platform include clothing & fabric, jewelry, home art, personal hygiene and hair products. The company operations are restricted to electronic based activities and it is operated virtually or from the company’s offices in Abidjan. Anka does not operate any warehouses or transportation fleets and the company does not own or lease any other physical assets for use in its operations. No new assets will be leased or acquired using IFC financing. IFC has proposed an equity investment of EUR 5 million primarily to bolster the company’s ability to execute on growth plans.