South Africa–based online livestock marketplace SwiftVEE secures major funding to scale fintech, insurance and data services across Africa.
SwiftVEE Closes Series A Funding Round
SwiftVEE, described as Africa’s largest online livestock trading platform, has successfully closed a Series A funding round, raising approximately ZAR 173 million (approximately US$10.1 million).
The lead investors in this round include HAVAÍC and Exeo Capital, with participation existing backers including fund-managers and private investment firms.
From Digital Auctions to Fintech-Enabled Livestock Trading
Since launching its digital livestock auction marketplace in 2019, SwiftVEE has grown significantly, handling over US$100 million in gross merchandise value annually via hundreds of auctions.
With the new funding, the company plans to expand beyond core auction services into fintech, insurance, and data analytics. This move aims to embed financial and value-added services into the agricultural value chain, enhancing efficiency and accessibility for livestock producers and buyers.
Geographical Reach and Market Footprint
Today, SwiftVEE’s operations span several Southern African countries beyond South Africa — including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The platform’s reach also extends globally, with syndicates of buyers from North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
“SwiftVEE’s livestock trading technology connects fragmented value chains, enabling users to buy online and access complimentary services like digital finance, insurance and data solutions. Our success connecting the livestock trading value chain empowered us to identify other industries where our technology would be equally effective in solving the same problem,” said CEO Russel Luck.
Strategic Vision: Integrating Finance, Insurance and Data
With backing from investors experienced in financial services and private equity, SwiftVEE is positioning itself to address structural inefficiencies in the livestock industry by offering embedded services — credit, insurance, and data-driven insights — alongside its core auction marketplace.
Founder of Edge Capital (Pty) Ltd and investor in SwiftVEE, Mike Kirsten, said of the deal, “We’re elated to have some of Africa’s financial leaders endorse swiftVEE through investment and collaboration, demonstrating confidence in their future success. We look forward to the depth of expertise and experience our new partners will add to SwiftVEE’s arsenal.
The Series A capital enables further development of its technology platform and expansion into adjacent verticals, with the aim of transforming how livestock and agricultural trade is conducted across Africa.
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