Yango Group invests in Kenyan fintech Zanifu to strengthen SME financing in Africa
Postado por Editorial em 16/10/2025 em TECH NEWSCompartilhar:
The company has already financed 15,000 SMEs, disbursing tens of millions of dollars in loans, and continues to demonstrate the transformative role of fintech in empowering local economies.
Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group
UAE-based technology company Yango Group has announced a strategic investment in Zanifu, a Kenyan fintech platform focused on providing working capital to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Alongside financial backing, Yango will collaborate with Zanifu to refine its business model and long-term growth strategy, drawing on the group’s operational experience across more than 30 international markets.
The move reflects Yango’s broader plan to support early-stage, high-potential startups that contribute to economic development in Africa. Zanifu enables small businesses to access short-term financing for inventory and operations, helping them manage liquidity and expand sustainably. To date, the company has financed over 15,000 SMEs, disbursing tens of millions of dollars in loans to small retailers and distributors.
“Zanifu is developing tools that empower other businesses to grow. By expanding access to capital, the company is supporting thousands of entrepreneurs and local economies,” said Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group. “We look forward to contributing our experience to help scale their impact.”
The investment comes through Yango Ventures, the company’s corporate venture arm launched earlier this year with an initial US$20 million fund. The fund targets early-stage startups in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East–North Africa–Pakistan (MENAP) region, focusing on sectors such as fintech, B2B SaaS, and online-to-offline services. Beyond funding, Yango Ventures provides portfolio companies with access to the group’s global network and operational expertise.
The partnership with Zanifu reinforces Yango’s growing role in advancing financial inclusion and innovation across Africa’s emerging digital economy.