From $5 Loans to $119 Million a Month: Open Valley Group and AfreCash Are Redefining Microfinance in Kenya

When Positiviti, Inc. and its partners first set out in 2018 to address the enormous gap in access to credit across Africa, the initial ambition was to prove that small, responsible loans could not only empower individuals but also become the foundation of a scalable financial ecosystem. What began as a partnership with Open Valley Group (OVG), a Kenyan microfinance institution led by Dr. Berry Odhiambo, has now evolved into one of the fastest-growing lending operations in East Africa, reaching a point where lending volume has surpassed $119 million every month. For contributors, this is not simply a story of growth; it is a demonstration of the size, velocity, and durability of demand for microfinance solutions in one of the most dynamic emerging markets in the world.

The success of this model lies in its unique ability to blend mission-driven lending with the rigor of institutional-grade systems. Loans ranging from $5 to $500, nearly ninety percent of which are used for business purposes, have proven that when capital is placed directly into the hands of small traders, boda-boda drivers, and women entrepreneurs, repayment rates remain strong, economic activity accelerates, and new opportunities emerge. The consistent ability to maintain defaults below industry averages while scaling volume is not accidental it is the product of careful alignment with credit bureau checks through Metropol Corporation, robust anti-money laundering practices, and compliance standards that inspire confidence in both regulators and partners.

Central to this growth story is AfreCash, the mobile app that has revolutionized access to credit for Kenyans who had previously been excluded from formal financial systems. With more than 375,000 downloads and over 345,000 active monthly users, AfreCash has become an indispensable platform, instantly disbursing funds to M-PESA wallets and removing barriers of distance, bureaucracy, and distrust that once limited lending. For contributors, this platform is not just a tool; it is a scalable, data-rich ecosystem that can expand lending capacity, refine credit scoring models, and unlock new revenue streams across insurance, savings, and digital commerce.

Looking forward, the momentum is only expected to accelerate. With monthly lending already surpassing $119 million, internal projections supported by current growth rates indicate that lending volumes could realistically double within the next 24 to 36 months, potentially reaching $200 million to $250 million a month. In the medium term, the expansion of AfreCash’s digital ecosystem into adjacent financial products, coupled with the rising adoption of mobile-first banking across

Africa, positions the platform to handle lending volumes in the range of $500 million monthly. Such scale is no longer a matter of speculation but a logical extension of the demand already being met today.

What makes this milestone particularly compelling is the sustainability of demand. The African market continues to be defined by a young, entrepreneurial population, rapidly growing digital adoption, and a chronic shortage of accessible credit. By already reaching $119 million in monthly lending activity, Open Valley Group and AfreCash are proving that microfinance is no longer a niche, high-risk experiment but rather an investable sector with significant upside and measurable social impact. The scale achieved in just a few years suggests that the ceiling is still higher. With ongoing investment in technology and partnerships, the trajectory points toward even larger volumes and stronger margins.

For contributors seeking both financial returns and meaningful participation in Africa’s digital transformation, OVG and AfreCash represent a rare opportunity: a proven model, robust infrastructure, and an ever-expanding customer base that continues to validate the thesis that inclusive finance can drive both profit and progress.