Gabon-based fleet management startup POZI has raised €650,000 in seed funding. The round represents the first international venture capital raised by a homegrown tech startup in the country. Led by Saviu Ventures, a venture capital fund investing in Francophone Africa, the round was joined by EMSY Capital and business angel Chazai Wamba.
The new capital will make it possible for the company to expand its operations beyond Gabon with an initial foray scheduled for Côte d’Ivoire in 2025. The fundraiser also positions the startup for broader regional growth in the coming years.
Founded in 2020 by Loïc Kapitho and Thomas Leluc, POZI offers telematics and fleet management services, leveraging data analysis and AI to provide real-time vehicle performance insights, predict risks, and optimise logistics. Currently managing over 2,500 vehicles for local and international companies, POZI aims to expand its coverage with new investment and connect 35,000 vehicles across ten African countries by 2030.
Despite declining venture capital investment in Africa, from $4.6 billion in 2022 to $2.2 billion in 2024, with Central Africa receiving a mere 0.2% ($5 million) of the total, POZI’s recent funding round is a noteworthy addition to the region’s small but expanding list of funded startups.
Expanding into Côte d’Ivoire will solidify the company’s regional presence in fleet management. The country’s growing transport and logistics sector offers POZI a strategic hub for its next growth phase, enabling a denser network of connected vehicles and enhanced business operations for clients across Francophone Africa.
Building a connected mobility system in Africa
POZI’s work is focused on helping companies manage their transportation and logistics systems more effectively. Its platform allows users to monitor the location, speed, and condition of vehicles in real time. The data collected from vehicles helps businesses make informed decisions on maintenance, fuel use, and driver performance.
With such tools, companies save on vehicle downtime costs, thus increasing operational transparency. The system also facilitates better planning of delivery schedules and reduces risks through manual fleet tracking.
Since its inception, the company has served various sectors, including oil and gas, logistics, and construction. POZI’s telematics solutions are tailored for African road networks and vehicle usage, integrating local expertise and technology to ensure optimal performance even with limited infrastructure.
By connecting 35,000 vehicles across ten countries, the Logitech startup is establishing a large-scale regional mobility data network. This network will enable companies to share transport insights and foster the development of related insurance, maintenance, and supply chain management services.
Having secured seed capital, POZI will now scale its technology, enhance platform robustness, expand its staff, and establish support offices in new markets, beginning with Côte d’Ivoire and followed by other Francophone African countries.
POZI’s backers and regional impact
Saviu Ventures, the startup’s largest investor, actively supports early-stage Francophone African startups. They recently completed a €25 million second closing of their Saviu II fund and boast of portfolio companies like Julaya (Côte d’Ivoire B2B neobank), Rubyx (Senegalese fintech platform), and Waspito (Cameroonian digital health platform).
Saviu Ventures offers POZI more than just capital, providing support in staffing, local partnerships, and operational guidance to facilitate seamless expansion across multiple regions while maintaining service quality..
EMSY Capital and angel investor Chazai Wamba also participated in the funding. Their inclusion broadens the support base and introduces additional business and finance experience. The investor composition indicates growing faith in startups from lesser African markets.
POZI’s success in Gabon diversifies its business landscape, which is traditionally reliant on oil exports. The scaling of POZI’s model could draw investors and encourage Gabonese founders to explore similar tech ventures.
As trade and transport expand in Africa, particularly with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), efficient fleet management and logistics technology are increasingly crucial. POZI’s data-driven automation platform offers a solution to address existing gaps in this sector.
The company’s regional growth strategy mirrors the need for stronger transport data integration in African countries. Linking vehicles across markets can foster cooperation between logistics companies, reduce costs, and improve road safety. Furthermore, data gathered from increased adoption of digital tracking technology can contribute to long-term infrastructure planning and environmental monitoring.
Despite limited venture activity, the POZI round signals growing investor interest in Central Africa. This could attract funding for startups addressing mobility, fintech, and healthtech challenges, fostering more robust local ecosystems and incentivising innovation-driven growth.
The POZI investment marks a turning point for Gabonese technology, merging local innovation with international capital to link its emerging ecosystem to broader regional opportunities. As POZI expands into Côte d’Ivoire and other markets, it will shape how African businesses leverage technology to optimise mobility and logistics.
