Unlocking Affordable and Patient Capital for MSMEs in Africa with Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo

Episode 194 with Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo, Group Global Lead and Executive Chairman of Development Associates Link International (DALI), an organisation driving inclusive finance, digital transformation, and sustainable business development across Africa and beyond.

Dr Kisembo is a respected financial economist, development finance specialist, and digital economy advocate with over twenty five years of experience spanning fintech innovation, agrifinance, investment strategy, and private sector growth. He has collaborated with global institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID, and UN Capital Development Fund to design inclusive financing systems that empower entrepreneurs and strengthen local economies.

In this episode, Dr Kisembo explores how MSMEs can access affordable finance and what it will take to create a truly enabling environment for entrepreneurship in Africa. He breaks down the key impediments to MSME financing, from high interest rates and collateral requirements to policy and institutional bottlenecks, and shares practical solutions for building patient, inclusive, and sustainable capital systems.

What We Discuss With Dr Kisembo

• Understanding the realities of Africa’s MSME financing landscape and the structural barriers limiting access to affordable capital.
• Exploring the concept of patient capital and how long term investment can drive sustainable MSME growth and resilience.
• How fintech innovation, digital identity, and data-driven credit scoring are transforming financial inclusion across Africa.
• Strengthening MSME investment readiness and the role of private sector partnerships in unlocking new financing opportunities.
• The future of MSME finance in Africa, from blended and green finance to the rise of digital currencies and impact driven investment.

Verto Corner
In this week’s Verto Corner, Erike Buys, Regulatory Exchange Control Manager at Verto, explains the vital role of exchange control in keeping cross border payments both compliant and efficient. 

She shares how Verto’s exchange control framework supports seamless trade across Africa while staying aligned with regulatory bodies in South Africa and other markets. 

Erike also discusses the latest developments shaping the region’s regulatory environment and what they mean for businesses trading internationally.

Access the Strategy Handbook

Did you miss my previous episode where I discus Raising ₦100 Billion to Fund Africa’s Digital Economy Through Verified Data and Local Infrastructure? Make sure to check it out!

Connect with Terser:
LinkedIn – Terser Adamu
Instagram – unlockingafrica
Twitter (X) – @TerserAdamu

Connect with Dr Kisembo:
LinkedIn – Dr Henry Clarke Kisembo
Twitter – @hkisembo

Discover how Verto’s solutions can help you accept payments, manage expenses, and scale with ease here