Kenyan startup Badili, a re-commerce platform for refurbished phones, has secured seed funding from E3 Capital to expand into more markets across East Africa.
Founded in 2021, Badili operates in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, aggregating, repairing, and reintroducing used or damaged mobile phones to the market.
The platform provides consumers with access to top‑tier smartphone brands at a fraction of the price of new models without compromising quality.
Expansion Plans
Badili has already raised a pre‑seed round and participated in the 12th edition of the SOSV MOX accelerator, securing $150,000 in funding.
The startup’s latest seed funding from E3 Capital aims to propel its expansion into new markets beyond East Africa, enhancing Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Investment and Partnership
E3 Capital’s investment, made through the E3 Low Carbon Economy Fund (E3 LCEF I), supports Badili’s business model, which provides affordable access to consumer devices.
“We are proud to welcome E3 Capital as the lead investor in our latest seed round,” said Rishabh Lawania, CEO and co‑founder of Badili.
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Paras Patel, managing partner at E3 Capital, said supporting Badili aligns with E3’s ethos of digital innovation and environmental sustainability.
Environmental Impact
Refurbished phones reduce associated CO2eq emissions by 87 per cent compared to new models, showing the positive climate impact of Badili’s business.
The company’s ability to scale its business model in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania has impressed E3 Capital, which believes in Badili’s potential for further growth.
With the seed funding from E3 Capital, Badili is well‑positioned to expand its operations and increase its impact on Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Beyond the financial injection, the partnership opens doors to a broader network of major e‑commerce platforms, local trade partners, and mobile network operators that Badili already leverages to source and distribute refurbished devices. By tapping into these existing distribution channels, the startup can accelerate its market entry strategy, ensuring that refurbished phones reach a wider audience while maintaining the rigorous quality controls that have become its hallmark.
E3 Capital’s mandate to back early‑stage businesses that enable digitised, decentralised, and decarbonised business models across the continent dovetails with Badili’s operational philosophy. The fund’s focus on low‑carbon economies shows the strategic fit, as Badili’s refurbishment process not only extends device lifecycles but also curtails the resource intensity associated with manufacturing new handsets.
