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South African fintech Jumo raises $55 million in Goldman-led funding

Jumo funding
The proceeds of the funding will be used to expand its operations into new markets and launch new products

South African fintech startup Jumo has received $55 million in equity and debt funding, media reports said. The startup’s current investors including Odey Asset Management, Leapfrog Investments and Goldman Sachs participated in the funding.

Jumo was established in 2015. The startup will use the proceeds from the funding to expand into new markets and launch new products. Jumo is targeting entrepreneurs in emerging markets — and plans to offer next-generation savings, lending and insurance products to them. 

The startup currently operates in five African countries — Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania. It closely works with financial firms and telecoms to provide its services, media reports said. 

Andrew Watkins-Ball, JUMO’s Founder and Group CEO, told the media, “I’m excited for our next phase. This backing will help us build a better business and break new ground. The strong vote of confidence, along with the world-class tech talent we now have in the business, means we can achieve exceptional outcomes for our partners and customers.”

Jumo has served more than 15 million customers across  Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Pakistan. It has disbursed loans worth more than $1.8 billion. Also, the startup has partnered with financial service providers and mobile network operators to offer credit and savings solutions for customers. Jumo plans to foray into Nigeria, India and Côte d’Ivoire, media reports said. 

Foreign investors are showing significant interest in African fintech startups. Last November, Visa acquired a 20 percent stake in Interswitch for $200 million, making it Africa’s first fintech unicorn.

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