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Yango Group Partners with Zanifu to Accelerate SME Financing in Africa
Yango Group has announced a strategic investment in Zanifu, a rapidly growing Kenyan fintech platform. Zanifu provides embedded lending solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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This partnership will not only provide capital but also enable Zanifu to leverage Yango’s extensive experience operating in over 30 global markets to enhance its long-term strategy and business operations.
Fueling SME Growth Through Fintech Innovation
Zanifu has emerged as a crucial player in Kenya’s fintech ecosystem, helping SMEs access working capital needed to purchase inventory, manage daily cash flow, and drive sustainable growth.
So far, the company has financed over 15,000 small businesses, disbursing tens of millions of dollars in loans, and continues to unlock opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs across the region.
“Zanifu is working on exactly what we care about — building tools that help other businesses grow,” said Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group. “We’re excited to bring our experience and expertise to help scale a business that’s delivering real impact to local communities.”
Yango Ventures: Investing in High-Impact Startups
The investment in Zanifu was made through Yango Ventures, the Group’s recently launched corporate venture capital fund. With an initial $20 million allocation, Yango Ventures targets early-stage startups across Africa, Latin America (LATAM), and MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) regions.
Yango Ventures focuses on high-growth sectors including:
- FinTech
- B2B SaaS
- O2O (Online-to-Offline) services
Startups benefit not only from financial support but also from Yango’s global networks, operational expertise, and go-to-market strategies.
Driving Innovation and Economic Empowerment in Africa
The Zanifu investment signals Yango’s deepening commitment to Africa’s tech startup ecosystem. It reinforces the Group’s vision to support scalable solutions that promote economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and local innovation.
With this move, Yango Ventures positions itself as a key player in driving inclusive growth across emerging markets—supporting African startups that are solving real-world problems for SMEs and local communities.
