Global Brain has invested in HAKKI AFRICA INC., a provider of used car microfinance services for taxi drivers in Africa, as the co-lead investor

Global Brain has invested in HAKKI AFRICA INC. (HAKKI), a provider of used car microfinance services for taxi drivers in Africa, through its Global Brain Flagship Fund IX (GB-IX) as the co-lead investor.

This round of funding was also joined by Norinchukin Innovation Fund L.P. (NCIF).

HAKKI is driven by its vision to build “a society where honest effort is fairly rewarded” by fostering financial inclusion for the approximately 1.8 billion people worldwide who lack access to financial services. The company is working to establish a global narrative that “making sincere efforts with integrity to build their own credit is the most certain path to their better and richer lives.”

In many parts of Africa, taxi drivers often lack the documentation or initial deposits for bank loans, leaving them to rent vehicles from private owners. Despite working tirelessly, many drivers find their earnings drained by high rental fees, leaving little room for personal or financial improvement. HAKKI addresses this issue by offering financial products to support vehicle purchases. The company has developed a proprietary credit-scoring algorithm to automate credit assessments and minimize risk, enabling sustainable microfinance operations. HAKKI leverages a stable and efficient funding base rooted in Japan to build a sustainable model in Africa, with operations starting in Kenya.

Global Brain has decided to invest in HAKKI, highly recognizing its ability to establish efficient operations from scratch in a challenging market environment, achieving year-round profitability, and its exceptional operational development capabilities. Global Brain will leverage its extensive network in Africa and its expertise in supporting IPOs to contribute to HAKKI’s growth in Africa and beyond.