Kenyan re-commerce startup Badili has secured $400,000 in debt funding from French development finance institution Proparco to expand its refurbished electronics programme across East Africa. The investment, provided through Proparco’s Bridge by Digital Africa initiative, aims to boost digital inclusion, enhance affordability, and reduce electronic waste.
Founded in 2021, Badili operates in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, focusing on collecting, repairing, and reselling pre-owned smartphones. By partnering with e-commerce platforms, mobile network operators, and local trade partners, the company provides high-quality, affordable refurbished devices as an alternative to expensive new models.
Badili’s CEO, Rishabh Lawania, welcomed the funding as a validation of their efforts to make smartphone ownership more accessible. “This investment brings us closer to our goal of enabling millions of Africans to own smartphones at a fraction of the cost of new ones,” he said.
With the new funding, Badili plans to scale its operations, increase device refurbishment capacity, and expand into more African markets. The move is expected to further bridge the digital divide while promoting sustainable technology use across the region.
