Rwandan Fintech Kayko Secures $1.2M Seed Funding to Unlock SME Access to Finance
The new funding will allow Kayko to strengthen its infrastructure, expand data-driven lending and credit scoring, and convert everyday business activity into tangible access to capital.
Kayko, a Rwandan fintech startup, has raised $1.2 million in seed funding from investors including Burrow Capital, Luxembourg Development Agency, Hanga Ignite by BRD, and develoPPP Ventures. The funding will be used to leverage data to expand access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Rwanda.
The platform addresses a critical challenge: while millions of SMEs in Africa conduct daily business transactions, many lack usable financial data to access credit or scale operations. Kayko helps fill this gap by serving as a micro-ERP and data layer, capturing sales, expenses, inventory, and tax compliance signals in real time. This information can then be used by financial institutions for credit scoring and working capital solutions.
Currently, more than 8,500 SMEs in Rwanda use Kayko for bookkeeping, inventory management, and tax compliance, spanning markets, retail shops, and service businesses. The startup positions itself as a system of record for small businesses, enabling banks to “see” businesses that previously lacked formal financial visibility.
The new funding will allow Kayko to strengthen its infrastructure, expand data-driven lending and credit scoring, and convert everyday business activity into tangible access to capital. The company aims to empower SMEs with tools that capture real business activity, helping them grow sustainably.
