Credit is one of the most potent tools for the economic growth of any nation. Yet in Nigeria and across much of Africa, access to credit remains limited and riddled with challenges. Lenders have to deal with high default rates, fraud, and fragmented repayment systems, while borrowers endure slow application processes, opaque credit scoring models, and rigid repayment schedules.

Just like other areas of human endeavour, artificial intelligence (AI) is now offering a way out.

A new wave of fintech innovators is embedding AI into credit systems to make them smarter, faster, and more humane. And, one of those making this possible in this part of the world is Gideon Adeyemi, co-founder and head of product at Yana Finance.

The importance of this new model cannot be overemphasised, considering that for decades, lending in Africa has been constrained by outdated models. Traditional systems depend on manual underwriting, one-size-fits-all repayment schedules, and risk frameworks that often fail to reflect the realities of informal economies.

Adeyemi argues that it’s time for a new approach, one where credit moves beyond rigid, transactional structures.

“Agentic AI doesn’t wait for input,” he explained. “It anticipates needs, forecasts risks, and provides guidance. That’s the kind of experience we’re building at Yana.”

This agentic approach reframes AI not as a bolt-on feature but as the foundation of a new lending experience. Yana Finance is embedding machine learning (ML) across the credit lifecycle, from origination to repayment, creating an adaptive and predictive system.

How Yana is redefining credit as a service

Yana Finance’s model is built on the idea that credit should serve both lenders and borrowers transparently. For lenders, this means higher efficiency, reduced defaults, and lower operating costs. For borrowers, it translates to faster approvals, flexible repayment, and dignity in financial interactions.

“We don’t see AI as an add-on that speeds up old processes,” Adeyemi said. “At Yana, it’s built into the foundation of how credit originated, was scored, was managed, and was repaid.”

One of Yana’s most significant innovations is its AI-powered Collections Engine, recently launched in Nigeria. Collections have long been a pain point in African credit markets. Legacy systems often attempt a single rigid debit and fail if funds are unavailable.

Yana’s engine takes a smarter route. It uses machine learning to scan multiple accounts and wallets, allowing for partial debits and optimised repayment timing. The system learns borrower behaviour, predicting when funds are most likely available.

“The result is higher recovery rates for lenders and a far less stressful process for borrowers,” Adeyemi explained.

This innovation has already gained attention within Nigeria’s financial sector, offering a path to improved trust between borrowers and lenders.

Smarter underwriting and scoring

Beyond collections, Yana Finance is rethinking how creditworthiness is assessed. Traditional scoring models are often opaque and rigid and fail to account for diverse income streams common in African economies.

Yana’s AI systems make approvals faster and more transparent. What once took days now happens in minutes. Borrowers not only see their scores but also get actionable insights on how to improve them.

Predictive risk models also enable lenders to detect potential defaults early. This creates space for restructuring loans before they fail. Borrowers benefit from repayment coaching features, including reminders that align with salary inflows and nudges toward partial payments when full repayment isn’t possible.

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of Yana’s mission lies beyond technology. For Adeyemi, credit in Africa must also shed its social stigma.

“For too long, borrowing has been seen as shameful,” he said. “We want to dismantle that perception by designing credit experiences that are discreet, supportive, and empowering.”

Yana’s design principles focus on dignity and transparency. The company is reimagining credit as a tool for progress, not a mark of weakness. It delivers experiences that feel natural and supportive. The fintech aims to normalise borrowing as a financial option and a pathway to opportunity.

The future of credit in Africa, according to Adeyemi, will be shaped by a blend of intelligence and empathy. AI and ML will provide speed, prediction, and efficiency. Meanwhile, UX and design will ensure that credit interactions remain human, transparent, and trustworthy.

“The future of credit in Africa will be defined by intelligence and empathy working together,” he said.

This approach is already positioning Yana Finance as a trailblazer in Africa’s fintech space. The company’s innovations are demonstrating how AI can do more than just improve operational efficiency; it can transform the very experience of credit into something empowering.

Yana is setting a new benchmark for what agentic AI in finance can achieve. By embedding machine learning into every stage of the credit journey, the company is tackling inefficiencies, reducing stigma, and building trust.

For lenders, this means higher recovery rates and lower risk. While it means faster approvals for the borrowers. It also provides flexible repayment and a system that feels human and supportive.

As Africa’s fintech industry continues to expand, Yana’s work signals a systematic shift to lending systems that are not only intelligent but also empathetic. And for millions of Africans navigating financial challenges, that could make all the difference.