Fresh from launching a $20 million Africa-focused fund, Yango Ventures has already announced its second investment, emphasising the speed and intent behind its SME-focused strategy.
The target? Kenyan fintech powerhouse Zanifu, a platform that’s already disbursed over $60 million in loans to more than 15,000 small businesses.
This strategic stake, though undisclosed in amount, highlights the growing appetite for SME financing solutions in Africa tackling the continent’s credit crisis.
Yango Ventures
Yango Ventures, the corporate venture arm of UAE-based Yango Group, a global player in ride-hailing, delivery, and on-demand services, unveiled its $20 million fund in March 2025.
Designed to empower early-stage startups in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the fund prioritises “O2O” (online-to-offline) platforms that bridge digital innovation with real-world impact.
The fund’s debut investment came in July 2025 with Kenyan mobility startup BuuPass, which digitises intercity transport bookings and fleet management.
Now, with Zanifu in its portfolio, Yango is doubling down on Kenya, a nation boasting over 7.5 million SMEs that contribute 33% to GDP but face a $12 billion financing gap annually, according to World Bank data.
Yango’s approach isn’t just capital; it’s mentorship, tech integration, and market access, positioning portfolio companies for scalable growth in a continent where mobile money adoption in Africa hit $912 billion in transactions in 2024.
This investment aligns with Yango’s broader mission to nurture ventures that enhance everyday services, from logistics to financial inclusion.
As Victor Balashov, Head of Yango Ventures, noted in a recent LinkedIn post, “We’re excited to back Zanifu’s mission to unlock working capital for SMEs, driving Africa’s economic transformation.”
Zanifu
Founded in 2020, Zanifu is redefining SME lending in Kenya through its embedded finance platform.
Unlike traditional banks with their lengthy paperwork and high collateral demands, Zanifu leverages data analytics, AI, and supplier partnerships to offer instant inventory financing.
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Retailers can procure stock from wholesalers and repay flexibly over 30–90 days, all via a seamless app.
To date, Zanifu has channelled $60 million+ in credit to 15,000+ micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), predominantly in the retail and agribusiness sectors.
This isn’t just numbers; it’s stories of survival. Take a Nairobi duka owner who scaled from a single stall to a chain, thanks to Zanifu’s low-interest loans amid post-pandemic recovery.
The fintech’s tech stack integrates with e-commerce giants like Jumia, ensuring risk-assessed lending that boasts repayment rates above 95%.
Zanifu’s edge? Its focus is on supply chain finance for SMEs, addressing a pain point where 70% of African SMEs cite access to working capital as their top barrier, per African Development Bank reports.
With expansions eyed for Ghana and Uganda, this Yango backing arrives at a critical moment, post its $1 million seed round in 2022.
The Ripple Effects
This Yango-Zanifu partnership is more than a transaction; it’s a blueprint for sustainable growth. For SMEs, it means democratised credit: faster approvals, lower costs (rates as low as 1.5% monthly), and data-driven insights to optimise inventory.
In Kenya, where fintech investments surged 45% year-over-year to $800 million in 2024, such deals amplify job creation where SMEs employ 80% of the workforce and strengthen food security by supporting agro-retailers.
Challenges remain: Regulatory hurdles in cross-border lending and cybersecurity threats. Yet, Zanifu’s compliance-first ethos and Yango’s global expertise position them to navigate these.
Looking Ahead
As Yango Ventures deploys its remaining fund corpus, expect more bets on fintechs tackling inclusion. For Zanifu, this investment promises tech upgrades and market penetration, potentially disbursing $100 million in loans by 2026.
In an era where Africa’s youth bulge demands innovative jobs, investments like this aren’t optional; they’re essential.
SME owners, fintech enthusiasts, and investors: Watch this space. Yango and Zanifu are scripting Africa’s next chapter, one loan at a time. For those tracking fintech, this partnership underscores the future of digital lending in Africa.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, climate change, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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