East Africa's 4G Capital has secured a $2 million strategic investment from GIF Growth, the growth-stage arm of the Global Innovation Fund, to accelerate its mission of providing working capital to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Kenya and Uganda. The Nairobi-based fintech is on track to surpass $1 billion in total lending this year after disbursing over $800 million across 6.8 million loans to more than 755,000 entrepreneurs since its founding in 2013.
BRIDGING THE FUNDING GAP
Micro and small enterprises form the backbone of East Africa's economy, accounting for over 80 percent of total employment. Yet most remain excluded from traditional lending, as a lack of formal financial records often shuts informal businesses out of credit, halting business growth and perpetuating cycles of poverty, according to the Global Innovation Fund.
4G Capital addresses this gap with its proprietary "touch-tech" model, a hybrid system blending digital efficiency and human-centered support. While most fintechs focus on a digital-only approach, the company combines digital lending platforms with in-person support from local field officers, who also provide financial literacy training and business support. Women make up 72% of its clients, according to GIF.
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Founded in 2013, 4G Capital has issued 6.8 million loans to more than 755,000 clients across Kenya and Uganda.
Wayne Hennessy-Barrett, founder and executive chairman of 4G Capital, said: “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," he stated. The company said the funding will support the scaling of its touch-tech model, and it is evaluating a Series D round to fund its next phase of digital growth.
STRATEGIC EXPANSION PLANS
The $2 million infusion targets operational scaling in Kenya and Uganda. GIF Growth, which provides flexible debt financing to high-impact and early-growth companies in Africa and Asia, said 4G Capital was its second investment.
GIF GROWTH'S ROLE
4G's metrics—more than $800 million disbursed to over 755,000 clients—underline the scale of its model.