Ghana’s Liquify – Accelerating Trade Finance for Africa’s SME Exporters

How Liquify uses AI-driven invoice financing to unlock cash flow and stimulate trade across African borders.

In the dynamic African trade landscape, cash flow challenges often impede small and medium-sized exporters. Ghanaian fintech startup Liquify (site), co-founded in 2023 by Nadya Yaremenko and Alberta Asafo‑Asamoah, is revolutionizing invoice financing by enabling African SME exporters to access funds from outstanding invoices within hours, not weeks

Liquify – A Digital Solution to a Persistent Barrier

Traditionally, African exporters face a 30–90‑day wait for invoice payments—a delay that can hinder production, stifle growth, or even topple a business. Liquify tackles this pain point by having exporters upload verified export invoices to its fully digital platform. The system then uses AI for KYC, anti‑money laundering, and credit checks before connecting SMEs with global financiers ready to fund those invoices.

Instant Liquidity with Global Capital

In Liquify’s model, exporters receive early payment when the startup buys their export invoices at a slight discount. Global investors, meanwhile, access short-term assets that are largely insulated from public-market volatility. Co-founder Yaremenko explains, “We unlock cash trapped in unpaid invoices. Exporters get funded within hours, and investors gain access to short-term assets that are largely unaffected by public market volatility.”

The process effectively transforms long waits into immediate liquidity, enabling businesses to invest in production, marketing, and expansion.

Growth and Operational Scope

Since launch, Liquify has completed over 100 transactions, totaling more than US$2.5 million, with zero customer churn—a testament to its model’s traction and relevance. Initially focused on Ghana and Kenya, primarily serving agricultural exporters catering to markets in Europe and North America, the startup is preparing to expand into Nigeria and Francophone Africa—regions with significant trade finance demand yet limited access.

Backing, Innovation & Vision

Backed by Techstars, Launch Africa, Digital Africa, and supported by a $1.5 million seed round and a first debt facility from an impact lender, Liquify is poised for further innovation. The team is developing structured financial products for institutional investors and digital tools to streamline trade document tracking.

Moreover, the company remains steadfast in its mission amid regulatory hurdles, says Yaremenko, “We’re proving that SME trade finance is not just viable, […] “it’s scalable, investable, and essential for Africa’s economic future.”

Implications for African Trade and Investment

Liquify represents a significant advancement in Africa’s trade finance infrastructure. By enabling real-time liquidity, it reduces dependence on traditional, slow, paper-heavy methods. For investors eyeing Africa, Liquify offers an avenue to back SMEs with transparent, impact-driven returns, directly tied to trade and export growth. It also supports broader initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to amplify intra-African commerce.

A Scalable Catalyst for SMEs

As trade barriers evolve and the continent’s SME exporters seek pathways to scale, Liquify’s model delivers a compelling template: digital, scalable, and investor-friendly. By freeing capital tied up in invoices, it empowers businesses to generate value, engage in larger markets, and attract global investment—fueling Africa’s next trade frontier.

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