AHL Venture Partners, is pleased to announce the successful closing of a USD$7 million strategic debt facility to Watu, an asset-financing company operating across Africa and Latin America.
The facility will support working capital and the continued growth of Watu’s portfolio across some of its African markets. This investment builds on a financing relationship between AHL and Watu dating back to 2022 and reflects AHL’s continued support for responsible asset finance and expanded access to mobility and connectivity assets.
Watu finances motorcycles and three-wheelers through its mobility business and smartphones through Watu Simu, its connectivity business. The company is also expanding its financing of electric motorcycles in selected African markets as part of its broader mobility portfolio.
Through streamlined onboarding, flexible repayment structures and local market expertise, Watu has built a model designed for consistency and scale across products and markets. The company has originated more than 7 million loans since 2015.
Rosanne Whalley, CEO of AHL Venture Partners, said:
"We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Watu and support its continued growth across Africa. Watu's asset-backed model is expanding financial inclusion and clean mobility for millions of underserved customers, generating exactly the kind of measurable social and economic impact that sits at the heart of AHL's priorities."
Andris Kaneps, Watu Founder, added:
“AHL has been an important funding partner as Watu has grown across Africa. This facility strengthens our working-capital base and gives us additional capacity to expand our mobility and smartphone-financing portfolios while continuing to serve our customers consistently and responsibly.”
About Watu
Watu is an asset-financing company founded in 2015 and focused on mobility and connectivity. It finances motorcycles, three-wheelers and smartphones used for work and everyday connectivity. Watu operates in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil.
For more information, visit watu.com.