Kayko Raises USD 1.2 M Seed Round To Digitise Rwanda’s Informal SMEs

Kigali-based fintech Kayko has raised USD 1.2 M in seed funding to digitise the operations of Rwanda’s informal merchants and build data infrastructure that can unlock formal lending. The round includes participation from Burrow Capital, LuxDev, Hanga Ignite, and develoPPP Ventures.

Founded in 2021 by brothers Crepin and Kevin Kayisire, Kayko has grown from a university capstone project into a micro-ERP platform used by more than 8,500 SMEs for bookkeeping, inventory, and tax visibility. By capturing real-time financial data, the startup aims to address the multi-billion-dollar financing gap faced by Rwandan small businesses and enable banks to assess creditworthiness without traditional collateral.

The new capital will support scaling, credit scoring development, and partnerships with financial institutions as Kayko positions itself at the intersection of digitisation and SME lending.