This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
On July 29, 2019, Branch International, a micro-lending platform, announced the issuance of a fourth commercial note worth Ksh 500 million to bolster its local lending operations in Kenya and grow its product portfolio.
With operations in Nairobi, San Francisco, Mumbai, Mexico City, and Lagos, the firm has successfully repaid the third note of a similar amount.
According to Dan Karuga, East Africa General Manager for Branch, "With the high rate of smartphone adoption in emerging markets, Branch is uniquely positioned to leverage its advanced use of data science to underwrite and provide credit and other financial services to more customers than ever before."
The latest funding brings the total capital raised locally to more than KES 1.5 billion via commercial paper issuances arranged by Barium Capital, a Centum-owned advisory firm.
This capital supplements the KShs 17 billion raised earlier this year from top international investors, including the World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation, Visa, Foundation Capital, Trinity Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz.
Branch's approach to commercial paper issuance has been largely groundbreaking, making it one of the first early-stage technology companies to successfully raise debt in the local market.
"Our investor base continues to be keen to be part of Branch's growth story and we're proud to have secured them an opportunity to do so," said Teresia Muthoni, Barium Capital's Managing Director.
