• Gabon’s POZI raises €650K in first foreign VC-backed tech deal
• Startup offers AI-based fleet management, plans Côte d’Ivoire expansion
• Marks milestone for Central Africa’s emerging tech investment landscape

POZI, a Gabonese startup specializing in telematics and fleet management, announced on Friday, Oct. 3, that it had raised €650,000 (about $690,000) in a funding round led by Saviu Ventures, with participation from Emsy Capital and advisory firm Chazai Wamba.

The deal is believed to be the first time a Gabonese tech startup has attracted foreign venture capital investment.

“This funding marks a major milestone not just for POZI, but for Gabon’s entire tech ecosystem,” said Loïc Kapitho, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “It shows that Gabonese startups can win the trust of international investors and pursue ambitious regional growth.”

Local Momentum Drives Regional Expansion

Founded in Libreville in 2020, POZI says it has connected more than 2,500 vehicles, serving clients from national operators to multinational corporations. Its platform goes beyond basic fleet tracking, using AI-driven data analysis to predict breakdowns, cut operating costs, and improve road safety.

Building on its local success, the company plans to expand to Côte d’Ivoire in 2025, the first step in a growth strategy to connect 35,000 vehicles across 10 African countries by 2030.

POZI’s fundraising comes amid a tougher environment for African startups. According to Partech Africa, venture funding on the continent fell from $4.6 billion in 2022 to $2.9 billion in 2023, and is projected to decline further to $2.2 billion in 2024. Central Africa remains the most underserved region, attracting only $5 million in 2024, just 0.2% of Africa’s total.

The POZI deal underscores the untapped potential of Central Africa’s tech ecosystem. For Gabon, which is seeking to diversify its economy and strengthen its entrepreneurial base, the rise of POZI could pave the way for other startups and raise the country’s profile on the African innovation map.

Samira Njoya