Google and Speedinvest Lead Funding for Kenya’s Leta, an AI-Powered Logistics Optimizer
NAIROBI — In a major endorsement of African tech innovation, Google and European venture firm Speedinvest have co-led a significant multi-million dollar funding round for Leta, a Kenyan logistics startup that uses artificial intelligence to streamline and reduce the cost of freight movement. The investment marks a high-profile bet on solving one of the continent’s most persistent economic bottlenecks: inefficient and expensive supply chains. Leta’s platform leverages AI to dynamically match cargo with available trucking capacity, optimize routes, and provide real-time tracking, aiming to cut costs and improve reliability for businesses across East Africa.
Founded in Nairobi, Leta has developed a proprietary algorithm that aggregates demand from shippers and supply from a network of verified transport providers. The system analyzes variables such as fuel prices, road conditions, traffic, and vehicle type to recommend the most efficient and cost-effective shipping options. For businesses, this means reduced empty return trips for trucks—a major source of waste in the industry—and lower overall freight expenses. The startup initially focused on the Kenyan market but has rapidly expanded its operations into Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, demonstrating the regional scalability of its solution.
This investment is a validation of our mission to make African trade more competitive by fixing the foundational logistics layer, said Leta’s CEO, Victor Maina. Google’s involvement brings not just capital, but unparalleled expertise in AI and scaling platforms globally. The funding round also attracted participation from several local investors, underscoring the strong domestic confidence in the sector. Industry analysts note that Leta’s AI-driven approach tackles a critical pain point at a time when intra-African trade is gaining momentum under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The fresh capital is earmarked for deepening Leta’s technology stack, expanding its team of data scientists and engineers, and accelerating growth into new African markets. The long-term vision is to become the integrated operating system for cargo movement on the continent. The backing from a tech giant like Google signals a growing trend of global investors moving beyond fintech to fund African startups solving complex infrastructural and operational challenges. Leta’s success could pave the way for a new wave of hard tech innovation in Africa, proving that local solutions built with advanced technologies like AI can have transformative economic impacts.