Fleet management startup POZI has secured a €650,000 seed round in what is being reported as the first international venture capital deal for a local Gabonese tech company.
The round was led by Saviu Ventures, a VC firm focused on Francophone Africa, with participation from EMSY CAPITAL and business angel Chazai Wamba. The investment marks a significant, albeit modest, milestone for Gabon’s nascent startup ecosystem and stands out in a region that has historically attracted minimal VC funding.
The capital is earmarked for expanding POZI’s operations, with plans to enter Côte d’Ivoire in 2025 as the first step in a broader regional strategy.
A Bright Spot in a Tough Market
POZI’s fundraise comes at a challenging time for African tech. According to Africa: The Big Deal data, venture funding on the continent saw a significant downturn, falling from a peak of $4.6bn in 2022 to an estimated $2.2bn in 2024.
Central Africa was the most underserved region within this landscape, raising just $5m in 2024, which accounts for only 0.2% of the total capital invested across the continent. Against this backdrop, POZI’s deal is a notable exception.
“This fundraising marks a major milestone, not only for POZI but also for the entire Gabonese technology ecosystem,” said Loïc Kapitho, co-founder and CEO of POZI. “It proves that our startups are capable of attracting the trust of international capital and carrying out strong regional ambitions.”
Connecting Africa’s Vehicles
Founded in 2020 by Loïc Kapitho and Thomas Leluc, POZI provides telematics and fleet management solutions. The company’s platform moves beyond simple vehicle tracking, integrating data analysis and artificial intelligence to offer predictive analytics, real-time performance indicators, and risk management tools tailored for African markets.
The goal is to help businesses reduce operational costs, improve driver safety, and increase the transparency of their logistics. To date, the company has equipped over 2,500 vehicles for a client base that includes local Gabonese companies and international corporations.
With the new funding, POZI aims to scale its platform and pursue its mission to “connect Africa, one vehicle at a time.” The company has set a target of connecting 35,000 vehicles across 10 African countries by 2030.
The Backers
Lead investor Saviu Ventures is an established player in Francophone Africa’s tech scene. The firm recently announced the €25m second close of its Saviu II fund, which targets early-stage startups from seed to Series A.
Saviu II plans to deploy investments ranging from €500,000 to €3m in sectors including fintech, healthtech, and climate tech. Its portfolio already includes Ivorian B2B neobank Julaya, Senegalese fintech Rubyx, and Cameroonian digital health platform Waspito. The firm’s backing provides POZI not only with capital but also with strategic support for recruitment and regional expansion.
For Gabon, which is working to diversify its oil-dependent economy, the growth of a startup like POZI could signal the potential for a homegrown digital ecosystem and may help put the country on the map for other venture investors looking for opportunities in frontier markets.