To increase financial inclusion throughout East Africa, Kenya’s 4G Capital raised $2 M

A strategic investment of US$2 million has been obtained by Kenyan fintech company 4G Capital to expand its innovative lending model, increase financial inclusion, and expand its reach among underserved businesses in the informal economy of East Africa.

Founded in 2013, 4G Capital provides small working capital loans and specialized business training to microbusinesses that are shut out of the formal financial system by combining human customer service with cutting-edge digital technology.

Over 755,000 clients in Kenya and Uganda have received over US800 million in loans from the startup since its founding in 2013. It is on track to surpass US$1 billion in total lending since its founding later this year, having provided 6.8 million loans that have helped entrepreneurs expand their businesses and create more resilient livelihoods.

GIF Growth, the Global Innovation Fund’s specialized growth-stage vehicle, provided the US$2 million funding, which will allow 4G Capital to grow by bolstering its exclusive “touch-tech” model—a strategy that blends online lending platforms with face-to-face assistance from regional field officers. In addition to providing clients with access to capital, this hybrid model also offers business support and financial literacy training.

Additionally, the funding will support 4G Capital’s ongoing development of its digital infrastructure and strategic partnerships, which will enhance service delivery and allow the business to grow effectively while preserving its strong community-based engagement.

“We are delighted to partner with the Global Innovation Fund. This investment provides us with the right kind of capital to scale our model sustainably and expand access to working capital and training for underserved entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth led businesses,” said 4G Capital founder and executive chairman Wayne Hennessy-Barrett.

In order to support its next stage of digital scaling, the company is also thinking about starting a Series D funding round soon.