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Since 2017, Rakuten has backed 2 African startups across 4 disclosed funding rounds totaling $495M, most heavily in Morocco and Quick Commerce.
Rakuten Group, Inc. is a global technology and internet services company headquartered at Rakuten Crimson House in Tokyo, Japan. It operates a broad portfolio of digital businesses, including e commerce, financial services, telecommunications, and digital content, and positions itself as a company that empowers individuals, communities, businesses, and society through innovation. In Africa, Rakuten has participated as a strategic corporate investor in high growth technology companies at the growth stage, with activity between 2017 and 2018. Based on confirmed funding data, Rakuten invested in Series B, Series C, Series E, and Series F rounds, providing a total of 495 million dollars of capital to Careem and Glovo. These investments reflect a clear focus on quick commerce and travel and mobility services in Egypt and Kenya, where Careem offers rides, deliveries, and wallet payments, and Glovo provides on demand delivery of food, groceries, and everyday essentials. Rakuten’s African investments in Careem and Glovo align with its broader emphasis on internet enabled consumer services. By backing established regional leaders in ride hailing, delivery, and digital convenience, Rakuten has supported the expansion of platforms that improve everyday access to transportation and commerce for users in Egypt and Kenya.
Data updated · Sep 6, 2026
Rakuten has backed 2 African startups across 4 disclosed funding rounds tracked on Liners, totaling $495M since 2017.
Mostly Series F: 1 of its 4 tracked rounds are at that stage, followed by Series C (1).
Companies Rakuten has backed operate in Morocco (4), Côte d'Ivoire (2), Egypt (2), and 4 more markets. Each figure counts the rounds behind companies serving that market, so a company operating in several markets counts in each of them.
Its tracked rounds lean toward Quick Commerce (4), Travel & Mobility (2).
Rakuten most often shares rounds with Seaya (2 shared deals), Cathay Innovation (2 shared deals), STV (1 shared deal).
Rakuten Group, Inc. is a global technology and internet services company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It operates a wide range of digital businesses, including online marketplaces, financial services, telecommunications, and other internet based services.
Rakuten has backed Careem and Glovo in Africa. Careem provides rides, deliveries, and wallet payments in one app in Egypt, while Glovo enables users in Kenya to order food, groceries, and essentials for rapid delivery.
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