Rwandan fintech startup Kayko has raised $1.2 million in seed funding to transform the way informal merchants access credit. The company’s innovative approach focuses on converting data from everyday business transactions—such as sales records, digital payments, and mobile money activity—into actionable insights that lenders can use to extend loans to merchants who are traditionally underserved by banks.
Across Africa, informal businesses represent a significant portion of the economy, yet many struggle to access formal financial services. Traditional credit scoring methods rely on formal documentation and financial histories, which many small businesses in the informal sector lack. Kayko seeks to address this challenge by leveraging alternative data to assess creditworthiness, giving merchants an opportunity to build reliable financial profiles while enabling lenders to make more accurate lending decisions.
The $1.2 million seed round will support product development, data infrastructure, and expansion into Rwanda and other East African markets. Investors are backing Kayko’s potential to drive financial inclusion for small businesses, recognizing that access to credit is critical for growth and economic empowerment. Kayko combines machine learning algorithms with insights gathered from local merchants, creating predictive models that help lenders reduce risk while offering fairer access to capital.
Beyond lending, Kayko’s platform offers additional value to merchants. By digitizing sales and financial records, merchants gain a clearer understanding of cash flows, inventory, and customer patterns, which can improve operational efficiency and profitability. This dual focus on credit access and business intelligence positions Kayko as a partner in growth, rather than just a lender.
Kayko’s mission reflects a broader trend in African fintech, where startups are increasingly using alternative data to expand financial access. As mobile payments and digital platforms continue to proliferate, fintechs like Kayko are well-positioned to empower businesses that have historically been invisible to the formal financial system.
With this latest funding, Kayko is set to scale its operations and make a meaningful impact on the lending landscape for informal merchants. By turning everyday merchant data into credible financial signals, the startup is unlocking new opportunities for small business growth and contributing to economic development across the region.
Leave a Reply