Liquify Raises $1.5 Million to Turn Unpaid Invoices into Instant Cash for African SMEs
Ghanaian fintech startup Liquify has closed a $1.5 million seed equity round, with additional debt support, to help small and medium enterprises convert unpaid invoices into immediate working capital. According to co-founder and CEO Nadya Yaremenko, the funding will accelerate Liquify’s mission to bridge Africa’s estimated $120 billion annual trade finance shortfall.
Funding Led by Future Africa
Future Africa led the round, joined by Launch Africa, 54 Collective, Digital Africa, Equitable Ventures and several angel investors. Impact lender Emerald Africa provided a debt facility to back Liquify’s growing liquidity needs.
Solving a Critical Cash-Flow Challenge
Many African exporters wait 30 to 90 days for payment on shipped goods, creating cash-flow pressure. Liquify automates invoice financing so verified invoices can be turned into same-day cash. The fully digital, AI-powered platform handles onboarding, know-your-customer checks, anti-money-laundering screening and credit scoring in hours rather than the weeks traditional banks require.
How the Platform Works
- An SME uploads an export invoice to Liquify’s portal.
- AI engines verify buyer details and assess credit risk.
- Once approved, Liquify advances most of the invoice value on the same day.
- Investors purchase the invoice at a small discount, earning yields when buyers pay.
“Banks often take over 10 days and charge more than $10,000 per transaction,” said Yaremenko. “Our technology cuts both time and cost to a fraction of the usual process.”
Early Traction and Impact
Since launching its beta in late 2024, Liquify has processed over 150 transactions worth more than $4 million. Most users are SME exporters in Ghana and Kenya trading with buyers in Europe and North America. The company reports zero customer churn, with many exporters returning for repeat financing.
Plans for Growth
With the new capital, Liquify will:
• Grow its team in product development, engineering and customer success in Ghana
• Enhance AI-driven risk engines for faster due diligence
• Expand into new markets such as Nigeria and other Anglophone and Francophone countries
• Pilot structured investment products and digital tools for trade documentation
Overcoming Hurdles
Building trust with SMEs unused to formal finance and educating global investors about the value of SME trade receivables have been key challenges. “Our speed and reliability have helped win over exporters,” Yaremenko noted. “Now we must show investors this is a scalable, low-correlation asset class.”
What It Means for SMEs
By converting slow-paying invoices into instant cash, Liquify is giving African entrepreneurs flexibility to manage payroll, restock inventory and seize new opportunities. As more SMEs gain access to affordable working capital, the continent’s trade-finance gap could shrink, unleashing growth in exports and local economies.
