4G Capital: Empowering Small Businesses Across the Globe
4G Capital, a leading digital bank for small businesses, has set its sights on transforming the world of micro-enterprises. Starting from East Africa, this fintech company aims to solve the significant challenge of providing essential working capital to small businesses.
Operating primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, 4G Capital focuses on enhancing financial access through technology, addressing an estimated $500 billion financing gap highlighted by the International Finance Corporation. They provide short-term, unsecured loans of up to 30 days to entrepreneurs in Kenya and Uganda, utilizing mobile payment systems. Alongside the loans, they offer tailored business training to increase the success rates of these high-potential enterprises, many of which are owned by women and young people in rural areas.
By supporting these businesses, 4G Capital plays a crucial role in tapping into the vast informal sector, which is vital for job creation and the improvement of living standards. For example, in Kenya, the informal sector is responsible for 83.6% of employment, according to the government’s 2025 Economic Survey.
Central to 4G Capital’s approach is a strong customer service network, which includes 1,600 agents across 211 branches in Kenya and Uganda. This field team works alongside an innovative AI-driven platform that helps assess and approve loans tailored to each business’s unique needs, resulting in an impressive repayment rate of 94.6%.
A Unique Approach to Finance
Wayne Hennessy-Barrett, the Founder and Executive Chairman of 4G Capital, states, “We are adapting our touch-tech model to craft African solutions for the global challenge of unlocking the informal sector’s potential. We start with real data from our field officers and use fintech to provide businesses with the working capital they need.”
In just over ten years, the firm has made remarkable strides, having issued 5.5 million loans worth $620 million to over 600,000 customers. Notably, 72% of these borrowers are female entrepreneurs, and 81% operate in rural markets, contributing to the creation of 1.3 million indirect jobs.
Their successes have garnered widespread recognition, including the title of Best Fintech at the prestigious African Banker Awards 2025, which celebrates innovation in Africa’s financial services. 4G Capital has also earned accolades for being a leading B-Corporation, focusing on balancing business success with social and environmental impact.
Hennessy-Barrett emphasizes the importance of responsible lending. “We thrive when our customers succeed, particularly those who are often overlooked. Our model is designed not to increase risks for these vulnerable entrepreneurs.”
As 4G Capital continues to build on its successes in East Africa, it is now looking to expand globally. The firm aims to address the staggering $10 trillion financing gap for small businesses by entering other African markets, and eventually branching out to Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Their goal is to lend over $3.6 billion in the next five years to support underserved businesses and help them formalize their operations.
To achieve this ambitious vision, 4G Capital recognizes the need for substantial capital for further lending. They have successfully raised funding since their inception, including Series A, B, and C rounds, allowing them to grow and better serve their customers.
“Investing in small businesses is not just an economic opportunity; it’s a chance to create positive change while delivering strong returns for investors,” Hennessy-Barrett concludes.
