Kenyan fintech platform Zanifu has secured fresh funding from UAE-based technology company Yango Group, marking a significant milestone in its mission to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa. The undisclosed investment will provide Zanifu with both capital and strategic support, reinforcing its position as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing digital lending innovators.
The partnership is set to accelerate Zanifu’s growth by leveraging Yango Group’s operational expertise across more than 30 global markets. Beyond financial backing, Yango will support Zanifu in scaling its operations, optimizing its business model, and enhancing its long-term sustainability. This collaboration highlights the growing confidence of international investors in Africa’s fintech ecosystem and its potential to drive inclusive economic development.
Zanifu has built a strong reputation by providing embedded lending solutions that enable SMEs to access working capital for purchasing inventory and managing cash flow efficiently. Since its inception, the company has financed over 15,000 small businesses, disbursing tens of millions of dollars in credit to enterprises that often face challenges accessing traditional financing. Its data-driven approach continues to bridge the credit gap in Africa’s informal and semi-formal sectors.
Yango Group, through its venture capital arm Yango Ventures, made the investment as part of a $20 million fund launched earlier this year. The fund targets early-stage startups in Africa, Latin America, and the MENAP region, focusing on fintech, B2B SaaS, and online-to-offline (O2O) services. According to Yango Group CEO Daniil Shuleyko, the partnership aligns with the firm’s mission to support ventures that build practical tools for business growth and sustainable economic impact.
This investment underscores Yango’s growing commitment to nurturing Africa’s startup ecosystem and supporting local innovators solving real economic challenges. For Zanifu, it marks the beginning of an expansion phase that could redefine SME financing in Kenya and beyond, driving digital inclusion and economic resilience through accessible financial technology.
