Retail lending firm Seeds & Pennies, a subsidiary of Liberty Assured, has successfully secured $1.1 million (N1.7 billion) in debt funding. The new capital will support the expansion of its inclusive lending services across Nigeria, with a strong emphasis on supporting women-led microbusinesses. It will also drive the rollout of new Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) offerings tailored to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), mobile phone financing, and a pilot ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ scheme.
The announcement comes alongside a recent $425,000 (N680 million) inflow, capping off the round and reflecting growing investor confidence in the company’s grassroots approach. In the current quarter, Seeds & Pennies reported collections of $625,000 (N1 billion) and disbursed $500,000 (N800 million) in new loans.
“This is more than just a funding milestone—it’s validation that community-first, inclusive financial systems can thrive at scale,” said Otimeyin Igbene, Founder of Liberty Assured. “We’ve spent years refining a model that genuinely works for the people who need credit the most, and we’re proud to be building on the backs of strong women, underpinned by data-driven decisions.”
Operating from 40 branches in Lagos with a 300-person workforce, 80% of whom are women, the firm now plans to increase its branch network in Lagos to 50 before expanding to an additional 50 locations across key Nigerian states by the end of 2026.
“At the heart of Seeds & Pennies is a powerful women-empowering-women ecosystem,” said Nosiru Sonoiki, Chief Operating Officer at Liberty Assured. “Our field agents—mostly women—are not just lending money. They’re changing lives, driving growth, and creating ripple effects in communities. With our upcoming BNPL products and ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ service, we’re broadening access to essential resources like assets, mobile devices, and even monthly rent payments.”
60% of the newly acquired funding came from a lead institutional investor, with the remainder from a group of private debt backers. This fund will be used to boost lending volumes, improve underwriting processes, and develop AI-driven collection technologies. The company also intends to further its community-driven model through an expanded physical presence.
“This funding supercharges our expansion strategy and product roadmap,” explained Damilola Afolayan, General Manager at Seeds & Pennies. “We’re not just growing for growth’s sake; we’re investing in people, infrastructure, and intelligence. This includes our new BNPL offerings for MSMEs, mobile device acquisition programs to deepen digital adoption, and our pilot ‘Rent Now, Pay Later’ product. Our goal is to make access to credit—and now essential services—as simple and reliable as the market women we serve deserve.”
Positioned at the crossroads of financial technology and real-world impact, Seeds & Pennies continues to back its mission with hands-on service, behavioural underwriting, and community trust as it scales its reach and impact.
