Submitted
2025 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge

OPESHA: AI-Powered SME Finance

Team Leader
John Wang'ombe
OPESHA is an AI-driven financial matchmaking platform that connects SMEs with lenders, investors, and grant providers based on their financial needs and risk profiles. Our proprietary machine learning algorithms analyze alternative data sources—such as transaction history, supply chain activity, and behavioral insights—to generate AI-powered credit scores for SMEs. The platform functions as a marketplace for SME financing, enabling businesses to...
What is the name of your organization?
OPESHA SOLUTIONS
What is the name of your solution?
OPESHA: AI-Powered SME Finance
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Using AI and machine learning to connect SMEs with the right financial institutions, unlocking access to capital efficiently.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Nairobi County, Kenya
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
KEN
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
SMEs in Africa struggle with access to financing due to limited financial history, high risk perception, and lack of tailored credit solutions. According to the World Bank, over 40% of SMEs in developing markets lack access to credit, stifling economic growth and job creation. Traditional lenders often reject SME loan applications due to inadequate data, while alternative financing options remain difficult to navigate. This results in missed growth opportunities, underperforming loans, and financial exclusion. At OPESHA, we address this challenge by leveraging AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to assess SME creditworthiness beyond traditional methods. Our platform provides data-driven insights, matching SMEs with banks, microfinance institutions, and private capital, including VCs, angel investors, and grant funders. By bridging this gap, we empower businesses to access capital efficiently, fueling entrepreneurship and economic prosperity across Africa.
What is your solution?
OPESHA is an AI-driven financial matchmaking platform that connects SMEs with lenders, investors, and grant providers based on their financial needs and risk profiles. Our proprietary machine learning algorithms analyze alternative data sources—such as transaction history, supply chain activity, and behavioral insights—to generate AI-powered credit scores for SMEs. The platform functions as a marketplace for SME financing, enabling businesses to compare loan offers, explore alternative funding, and receive tailored financial advice. Financial institutions benefit from better risk assessment tools, reducing defaults and improving lending efficiency. Our goal is to eliminate barriers to SME financing by making credit accessible, data-driven, and inclusive. By providing real-time insights, automated matching, and financial literacy tools, OPESHA is revolutionizing how African SMEs access capital, driving economic inclusion and sustainable business growth.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
OPESHA serves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, particularly those facing financial exclusion due to limited collateral, lack of credit history, or complex loan processes. Our solution also benefits banks, microfinance institutions, venture capitalists, and grant providers by improving risk assessment and streamlining SME financing. Through OPESHA, SMEs gain: Increased access to capital: AI-powered credit assessment expands financing opportunities. Better loan options: Businesses can compare and choose the most favorable financial products. Financial literacy tools: Empowering SMEs with data-driven insights for better financial decisions. By unlocking financial access and fostering business growth, OPESHA contributes to job creation, economic prosperity, and Africa’s thriving SME ecosystem.
Solution Team:
John Wang'ombe
John Wang'ombe
CEO/ Founder