Fintech innovator, XchangeBox is revolutionising access to credit for Nigerian farmers and small businesses through trade-based financing that leverages transaction and supply-chain data rather than traditional credit histories. The model aims to unlock growth for underserved enterprises, addressing long-standing barriers in emerging markets.
Brandspur Banking News Desk reports that conventional lenders often require extensive collateral and formal records, leaving many grassroots operators excluded from financing. According to XchangeBox CEO Abiola Jimoh, the challenge lies not in the availability of capital but in the structure of its delivery.
“Traditional banks and government programmes rely heavily on paperwork, collateral, and long credit histories, which do not align with the unpredictable cash flows of agricultural activities,” Jimoh said. “Our platform focuses on real trade activity, cash movement, and supply-chain relationships to provide loans that reflect actual business performance.”
XchangeBox assesses risk using transaction histories, buyer-seller networks, and supply-chain data, allowing farmers and traders to access working capital for inputs, transport, and operational needs even without formal banking documentation. The approach also mitigates challenges caused by delayed payments, a persistent issue in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which often forces operators toward high-interest informal loans.
The fintech platform is also advancing financial inclusion for women in agriculture and informal trade through its “Kidashi” product, launched in 2025 with support from the Gates Foundation, CcHub, Data Science Nigeria, and DIAL. This trade-financing solution enables women-led groups to borrow based on recurring business activity, strengthening cash flow management, business growth, and repayment reliability.
Unlike typical fintech offerings focused solely on payments, XchangeBox prioritises trade finance, facilitating production and sustainable growth. By combining digital platforms with physical touchpoints—cooperatives, agents, and local partners—the company ensures access to credit even in rural and underserved regions.
Jimoh envisions XchangeBox scaling to support millions of farmers and SMEs across Nigeria, with the goal of eliminating cash-flow constraints and enabling efficient, resilient value chains. “In the next five years, we want farmers producing confidently, traders scaling sustainably, and value chains functioning efficiently,” he stated.
XchangeBox’s model positions it at the intersection of technology, finance, and agriculture, providing a blueprint for inclusive credit solutions in emerging markets. By financing real transactions, the platform supports businesses in trading more, earning more, and building financial resilience.
