What NOBO does

NOBO Finance Limited is a UK-based, founder-led fintech building digital trade finance infrastructure for SME exporters, with a stated focus on UK-Africa and Intra-Africa corridors. The company's core proposition is to provide the rails on which financing moves with trade — it is explicitly not a lender, but rather a technology layer that makes export SMEs visible, verifiable, and bankable to banks, ECAs, and development finance institutions. The platform is built on MLETR-compliant electronic transferable records and the UK Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023, enabling legally recognised electronic Bills of Lading, invoices, and certificates of origin. The product suite is modular: NOBO Trade (core deal workflow for Export Packing Credit and Invoice Factoring), NOBO Qualify (AI pre-qualification with Open Banking integration and ECA scheme matching), NOBO Pay (multi-rail settlement across stablecoins, CBDCs, PAPSS, tokenised deposits, and SWIFT), NOBO Treasury (multi-wallet management), NOBO Connect (KYC/KYB, Open Banking, accounting integrations), NOBO Verify (reusable compliance credentials with on-chain hashing), NOBO VTN (supply chain mapping and ESG scoring), NOBO Market (deal marketplace), and a mobile application.

The business model is transaction-fee based, with revenue streams from platform transaction fees, settlement rail fees, AI pre-qualification referrals, and compliance credential licensing; pricing is not publicly disclosed and engagement is quote-based for enterprise and application-based for SMEs via an early access programme. Customer segments are multi-sided: SME exporters (primary), banks and financiers (primary), platforms and marketplaces (secondary), and government trade agencies (secondary). The company was founded in 2024/2025, is registered in England & Wales, employs 1–10 people, has not publicly disclosed funding rounds or revenue, and is preparing pilots for Q3/Q4 2026. Its institutional positioning is unusually strong for the stage: participation in the Bank of England's Digital Pound Lab Phase 1, selection for the Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab London 2026 cohort, the inaugural Travers Smith Fintech Amplifier cohort, an LoI with Tangl Capital Partners for capital-deployment alignment, and MOUs with Africa SME Assembly and Africa Fashion Week London. Leadership combines deep fintech/banking pedigree (CEO with 18 years at IBM and Mastercard) with trade and African policy expertise (Co-Founder and NED with Cargill, SocGen, and Nigerian Presidential backgrounds), supporting a thesis that the company's strategic value lies less in near-term revenue and more in regulatory positioning, distribution, and data assets that compound as more SMEs, banks, and ECAs join the network.

Name

NOBO

Legal name

NOBO Finance Limited

Website

https://nobofinance.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NOBO Finance is a UK-based fintech building MLETR-compliant digital trade finance infrastructure for SME exporters across UK-Africa and Intra-Africa corridors, providing AI-driven pre-qualification, reusable compliance credentials, and multi-rail settlement (stablecoins, CBDCs, PAPSS, SWIFT) to banks, ECAs, and DFIs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Finance Infrastructure

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Sales Financing (52222)

SIC

Finance Services (6199), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade Finance & Supply Chain Finance Platforms (FSAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

B2B / Invoice-Based BNPL (Trade Credit at Checkout) (FSAGAIAC), Risk, Compliance & Controls for Embedded Finance (KYB/KYC/AML, Fraud, Disputes) (FSAGALAK), Cross-Border & FX Payments Platforms (BPAMAFAK), Trade Finance & Receivables Tokenization (FSADAEAG)

Keywords

• Digital trade finance
• SME export financing
• Cross-border settlement rails
• MLETR-compliant documentation
• ECA-backed guarantees

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Platform Transaction Fees: NOBO earns fees on trade finance transactions processed through its platform, including Export Packing Credit and Invoice Factoring deals. The platform facilitates financing between SMEs and institutional financiers, earning a take rate on settled transactions.
2. Settlement Rail Fees: Revenue from multi-rail settlement services across stablecoins, CBDCs, PAPSS, and SWIFT. Different fee structures per rail based on speed, corridor, and settlement method.
3. AI Pre-Qualification Services: NOBO Qualify engine provides AI-powered SME pre-qualification matched to ECA schemes and financiers. Revenue generated through financing referrals and successful deal completions.
4. Compliance Pack Licensing: Reusable compliance credentials shared with financiers, ECAs, and partners. Revenue model based on credential issuance and verification requests.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NOBO provides digital trade finance infrastructure for SME cross-border exporters, primarily targeting UK-Africa and Intra-Africa corridors. Its platform manages trade finance deals from application to settlement, offering Export Packing Credit and Invoice Factoring workflows, AI-powered pre-qualification against 15+ ECA schemes, MLETR-compliant electronic trade documents including electronic Bills of Lading, and programmable multi-rail settlement across stablecoins, CBDCs, PAPSS, and SWIFT. The platform serves as infrastructure connecting SMEs with banks, export credit agencies, and development finance institutions rather than functioning as a direct lender.

Product overview

NOBO provides a unified digital trade finance infrastructure platform for export SMEs, combining pre-qualification, MLETR-compliant document verification, multi-rail settlement, and ECA programme access. The platform architecture consists of NOBO Trade as the core platform handling trade finance workflows, supplemented by NOBO Qualify (AI pre-qualification engine), NOBO Pay (multi-rail settlement), NOBO Treasury (multi-wallet management), NOBO Connect (integration backbone), NOBO Verify (compliance and credentials), NOBO VTN (verified trade networks), and NOBO Market (trade finance marketplace). The ecosystem is completed by a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NOBO Trade: Digital Trade Finance Infrastructure platform managing trade finance deals from application to settlement with Export Packing Credit and Invoice Factoring workflows
• NOBO Qualify
• NOBO Pay
• NOBO Treasury
• NOBO Connect
• NOBO Verify
• NOBO VTN
• NOBO Market

Products and services

• NOBO Trade Digital trade finance infrastructure platform that manages trade finance deals from application to settlement, providing Export Packing Credit and Invoice Factoring workflows for SME exporters. Compliant with MLETR and the UK Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023, it is the core foundation of the NOBO ecosystem serving export SMEs, banks, and development finance institutions.
• NOBO Qualify AI-powered pre-qualification engine providing end-to-end SME assessment through automated data collection. Connects Open Banking and accounting sources, maps supply chains, runs multi-model AI credit assessment against financier criteria, and generates machine-readable finance packs with ECA scheme routing. Matches SMEs to suitable ECA schemes and financiers.
• NOBO Pay Multi-rail settlement infrastructure enabling programmable settlement across stablecoins (T+0), PAPSS for intra-Africa payments, CBDCs, tokenised deposits, and SWIFT. Provides T+0 settlement capability for cross-border trade finance, allowing users to select the fastest and most cost-effective option per corridor.
• NOBO Treasury Multi-wallet management providing unified treasury across digital and traditional currencies. Supports stablecoins, CBDCs, tokenised deposits, and fiat accounts with multi-currency wallets and on/off ramp services for SMEs managing cross-border trade finance flows.
• NOBO Connect Integration backbone powering NOBO's credit assessment and verification pipeline. Connects to KYC/KYB providers, Open Banking, accounting platforms, business intelligence sources, and AI credit models, replacing manual underwriting with automated partner intelligence for SME credit assessment.
• NOBO Verify Compliance and credentials module providing reusable compliance credentials and MLETR-compliant document verification. Enables KYC/KYB to be completed once and shared with authorised parties, with documents hashed on-chain while content remains private. Includes electronic Bill of Lading verification and tokenisation.
• NOBO VTN (Verified Trade Networks) Verified Trade Networks module that maps and scores SME supply chains for financier transparency into supply chain sustainability. Members are verified and ESG-scored against financier requirements, providing supply chain member mapping, aggregate sustainability scores, and corridor risk assessment.
• NOBO Market Trade finance marketplace listing both pre-shipment Export Packing Credit deals and post-shipment receivables for competitive financing. AI badges signal deal quality, ECA backing eligibility, and supply chain sustainability scores, enabling competitive bidding by financiers.
• NOBO Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android bringing programmable trade finance to mobile devices. Manages multi-currency wallets (GBP, USD, EUR, NGN and stablecoins), enables instant cross-border transfers, virtual cards, real-time transaction tracking, and bank-grade security with biometric and 2FA protection.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100x faster settlement: T+0 to T+1 vs traditional 2-5 days
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Africa SME AssemblycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026MOU signed with Africa SME Assembly to support better access to trade finance for African SME exporters. Collaboration focuses on SME market research, content and storytelling, and pilot preparation for NOBO's Q3/Q4 2026 pilot programme. ASA will facilitate warm introductions to qualified exporters.
• Accenture FinTech Innovation LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026NOBO selected for Accenture FIL London 2026 cohort, one of the longest-running fintech accelerators globally. Programme runs April-July 2026 with access to 140+ financial sector partner institutions, senior mentors, and global fintech peer network. Includes partner presentations at Bank of America (May 22) and ICBC (June 23) hosted events.
• Applied BlockchaincoreTechnology or Integration · 5 March 2026NOBO collaborated with Applied Blockchain on Phase 1 participation in the Bank of England's Digital Pound Lab. Applied Blockchain led technical architecture, design, build and integration for the demo, incorporating Silent Data (hardware-protected Ethereum Layer 2) for programmable privacy. The partnership explored conditional B2B payments to support SME trade finance efficiency.
• Bank of England Digital Pound LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026NOBO completed Phase 1 participation in Bank of England's Digital Pound Lab, designing and delivering payment workflows to explore conditional B2B payments for SME trade finance. The Lab is a research and experimentation environment for potential digital pound applications using simulated infrastructure.
• Silent Data (by Applied Blockchain)coreTechnology or Integration · 5 March 2026High-performance, hardware-protected Ethereum Layer 2 integrated with Digital Pound Lab platform. Demonstrates interoperability between digital pound-style settlement infrastructure and public blockchain systems while preserving commercial confidentiality for regulated trade finance workflows.
• Travers Smith Fintech AmplifiercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 11 February 2026NOBO participated as pilot in development and joined inaugural cohort of Travers Smith Fintech Amplifier. Year-long programme provides structured legal advisory, regulatory guidance, and curated engagement with investors and industry stakeholders. Strengthens NOBO's regulatory architecture for scaling digital trade documentation and programmable settlement.
• Africa Fashion Week LondonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026MOU signed with Africa Fashion Week London to collaborate on joint ecosystem engagement and customer insight initiative. Provides structured access to AFWL's established UK-Africa fashion and trade community for SME engagement ahead of platform launch.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• komgo: Blockchain-based trade finance network operated by a consortium of major banks and commodity traders. Directly comparable to NOBO as a digital trade finance infrastructure platform connecting banks, ECAs, and corporates for documentary credit and receivables financing.
• Marco Polo Network (TradeIX): Open-account trade finance network built on R3 Corda, serving banks and corporates with supply chain finance, receivables discounting, and payment commitment workflows. Closely aligned with NOBO's trade-finance infrastructure model and target bank buyer segment.
• Contour (formerly Voltron): Digital Letter of Credit and electronic Bill of Lading network built on R3 Corda, used by global banks for paperless trade. Direct competitor to NOBO Trade and NOBO Verify, with overlapping bank and corporate buyer segments.
• We.Trade: Blockchain trade finance platform originally developed by a consortium of European banks, focused on SMEs and B2B cross-border transactions. Comparable to NOBO in its focus on SME exporters and bank-led distribution of trade finance products.
• Bolero International: Digital trade finance platform offering electronic Bills of Lading, Letters of Credit, and trade document solutions via a multi-bank network. Comparable to NOBO in providing MLETR-aligned electronic transferable records for cross-border trade.
• Tradeteq: Trade finance distribution and securitisation platform connecting originators, institutional investors, and DFIs for trade finance assets. Comparable to NOBO Market and Tangl LoI capital deployment model, especially in matching institutional capital to SME trade flows.
• LiquidX: Digital trade finance platform for receivables financing, supply chain finance, and Letters of Credit with bank and corporate clients. Comparable to NOBO in targeting working capital and receivables financing with bank-issued instruments.

Broad incumbents

• Surecomp: Established trade finance and back-office software vendor serving 600+ banks and corporates globally. Comparable as an incumbent trade finance technology provider; broader portfolio but overlapping corporate-buyer segment with NOBO Trade.

Regional players

• Onafriq (formerly MFS Africa): Africa-focused digital payments network connecting mobile wallets, banks, and global remittance providers. Comparable to NOBO Pay for cross-border intra-Africa settlement, though focused on consumer/payments rails rather than trade finance.

Emerging players

• Traydstream: AI-powered trade document verification and compliance platform for trade finance transactions. Comparable to NOBO Qualify and NOBO Verify on the document extraction and compliance automation layer of trade finance workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nobo-finance

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NOBO