(Ecofin Agency) - French chauffeur-driven car rental platform Heetch raised $4.4 million from Tunisian private equity investor AfricInvest to continue expansion in six new markets in 2020, including Tunisia and Senegal.

On the African continent, Heetch is mainly interested in Francophone countries in which “competition is less intense than in Anglophone countries,” according to Patrick Pedersen, the start-up's Manager for Africa. Apart from Côte d'Ivoire, where its motorcycle rental service is temporarily suspended, Heetch is present in Morocco, Algeria, and Cameroon.

Founded in 2013 in France, Heetch has integrated the Francophone region in Africa into its long-term growth strategy. “The Maghreb and Francophone Central and West Africa represent magnificent opportunities for Heetch. In fast-growing cities with weak transport infrastructure, we have the opportunity to help improve the mobility of people,” said Teddy Pellerin, co-founder of Heetch, in May 2019. Let’s note the company raised $42 million since the beginning of 2019.

Chamberline Moko