For millions of micro-entrepreneurs operating informal kiosks, neighborhood pharmacies, and roadside retail shops across Kenya, managing inventory is an ongoing cash-flow battle. While consumer demand remains steady, traditional financial institutions rarely extend affordable working capital without physical collateral.
Kenyan B2B FinTech startup Sevi is addressing this structural gap. The company has secured undisclosed financial backing from Netherlands-based impact investor Oxano Capital to expand working capital access for micro and small enterprises across the region.
Embedded Liquidity at the Point of Purchase
Founded in 2018 by Dutch entrepreneurs Walter aan de Wiel and Bartel Verkruijssen, Sevi operates an “Order Now, Pay Later” digital infrastructure embedded directly within established B2B distribution channels.
Rather than issuing uncollateralized cash loans, Sevi’s technology integrates credit directly into the commercial transaction flow:
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Instant Supplier Settlement: Manufacturers and distributors receive immediate cash payment upon order placement.
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Collateral-Free Inventory: Small retailers receive goods on credit, allowing them to restock essential items without draining operational cash reserves.
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Flexible Installments: Shop owners repay the inventory financing in manageable installments as products are sold to end consumers.
To bridge the gap between digital platforms and informal commerce, Sevi deploys field agents directly within distribution networks to conduct on-site onboarding, customer support, and merchant assessments.
Regulatory Compliance and Automated Underwriting
Operating in East Africa’s evolving financial ecosystem requires strict regulatory alignment. Sevi holds a official Digital Credit Provider licence from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), placing it among the country’s early fully licensed digital credit platforms.
By combining automated credit scoring, AI-driven risk modeling, and digitized KYC systems, the startup has maintained consistently low default rates across its loan book.
Key operational metrics include:
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$7.7+ Million: Total credit disbursed to date across retail transactions.
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7,000+ Retailers: Active micro and small merchants onboarded.
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40+ Major Suppliers: Integrated distributors and product suppliers.
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55% Female Representation: Over half of the micro-entrepreneurs backed on the platform are women-led businesses.
Impact Investing Meets Real-Economy Tech
Founded by Hans Walhout, Bram Quaak, and Peter van Dillen, Oxano Capital concentrates its investments on Sub-Saharan manufacturing, agro-processing, and technology-driven enterprises.
Oxano’s investment thesis centers on Sevi’s capacity to deliver sustainable commercial growth alongside measurable social impact:
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Digitizing cash-based supply chains and integrating informal vendors into formal commercial networks.
SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Unlocking credit lines for women shop owners who disproportionately face capital rationing from traditional lenders.
SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Strengthening cash flow resilience for MSMEs, enabling small business owners to maintain stock, generate income, and create local jobs.
Strategic Roadmap and Regional Scale
Oxano Capital applies a co-entrepreneurship approach, pairing direct capital with operational engagement.
With this new backing, Sevi will focus on expanding its supplier network, refining its credit models, optimizing unit economics, and accelerating its trajectory toward sustainable profitability as demand for working capital solutions accelerates across East Africa.
