#lending

The African fintech industry is transitioning from short-term consumer lending to financing small businesses, driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and government initiatives aimed at promoting credit in productive sectors. Analysts suggest that this trend will enhance access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), reflecting a significant shift in lending practices within the sector, according to Daily Trust.

Commercial bank credit to Nigeria's manufacturing sector has decreased by N1.92 trillion, attributed to funding gaps and high lending rates that are hindering access to finance for manufacturers, according to Punch.

4G Capital has provided over $1 billion in loans to small businesses in Kenya and Uganda, reflecting a growing need for working capital among entrepreneurs often excluded from traditional financing. Since its inception in 2013, the Nairobi-based fintech has served approximately 800,000 customers and issued more than 7.6 million short-term loans.