Kenya-based fintech 4G Capital has surpassed $1 billion in cumulative loan disbursements to entrepreneurs across Kenya and Uganda, marking a significant milestone in its mission to expand financial inclusion for small businesses.
The company announced on June 23 that it has issued more than 7.6 million working capital loans to approximately 800,000 customers since launching operations in 2013. The achievement underscores the growing influence of alternative credit providers in African markets, where access to traditional bank financing remains limited for many micro and small enterprises.
Bridging the SME Financing Gap
4G Capital specializes in providing working capital loans and business training to small business owners, particularly those operating in underserved and informal sectors.
Its model combines technology-driven lending with a physical field presence through what the company describes as a “touch-tech” approach. More than 1,600 field agents operating across 226 branches support customers on the ground, while AI-powered credit assessment tools evaluate business performance and cash flow patterns to determine appropriate loan sizes.
Unlike traditional lenders that often rely on rigid eligibility requirements and collateral, 4G Capital assesses borrowers based on their business cycles and repayment behavior, enabling greater access to financing for entrepreneurs who are typically excluded from formal banking systems.
Women and Rural Entrepreneurs Drive Growth
The company says women account for 73% of its customer base, while more than half of borrowers operate in rural communities where access to financial services remains limited.
Beyond lending, 4G Capital integrates business training into its offering, aiming to improve financial literacy and strengthen business performance among borrowers.
According to the company, customers who establish strong repayment histories nearly double their borrowing capacity within three years. It also reports average annual revenue growth of 82% among borrowers and a repayment rate of 95%, suggesting that lending to underserved entrepreneurs can be both impactful and commercially sustainable.
The company further claims its activities have supported more than 1.4 million jobs and generated over $3 billion in economic impact across Kenya and Uganda. However, these figures are self-reported and have not been independently verified.
Rapid Growth Accelerates Lending Volumes
The latest milestone reflects significant growth over the past few years.
4G Capital previously reported disbursing more than $340 million between 2016 and 2022. Reaching the $1 billion mark indicates a substantial acceleration in lending activity since then, driven by the expansion of its branch network, agent footprint, and digital lending capabilities.
Commenting on the achievement, Founder and Executive Chairman Wayne Hennessy-Barrett credited the company’s customers for the milestone.
“Reaching the US$1 billion lending milestone is a testament to our amazing customers, their determination, resilience, and ambition. This milestone belongs as much to them as it does to our fantastic team,” he said.
Industry Recognition and Future Expansion Plans
The announcement comes amid growing recognition for the fintech.
Earlier this year, 4G Capital was ranked among the Financial Times Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2026, placing third among Kenyan firms in the fintech, financial services, and insurance category. The company is also a certified B Corp and was named Best Fintech at the African Banker Awards 2025.
Looking ahead, 4G Capital is reportedly considering a Series D funding round to support further digital expansion and scale its lending operations. While details regarding the potential raise have not been disclosed, additional capital could help the company strengthen its position in East Africa’s competitive SME financing market.
The milestone comes at a time when fintech lenders across Africa face increasing scrutiny over the sustainability of unsecured lending models, particularly those targeting informal-sector entrepreneurs.
As investors demand stronger evidence of profitability and portfolio quality, companies must demonstrate that growth can be achieved without compromising repayment performance.
For 4G Capital, crossing the $1 billion lending threshold highlights both the scale of demand for SME financing and the opportunity for fintechs to bridge longstanding credit gaps across Africa. Whether the company can maintain its growth trajectory while preserving loan quality will likely shape its next chapter.
