Alternative Finance Group (AFG)

What Alternative Finance Group (AFG) does

Alternative Finance Group (AFG) is a South African alternative finance provider headquartered in Centurion, Gauteng, operating across South Africa and Namibia. The group was formed in 2025 through the strategic merger of four specialist lenders — CorpFin (founded 2017), ProfitHub (2020), QuickBridge (2020), and DiscountDesk (2020) — consolidating asset-backed lending, purchase order funding, invoice discounting, and property bridging finance under a single brand. AFG primarily serves South African SMEs with annual turnover of R1M+ that cannot access traditional bank funding due to credit score constraints or slow bank approval timelines, focusing instead on confirmed cash flow, contract value, and asset collateral.

AFG offers four core products: Asset Backed Financing (R500k–R50M, 2–12 month terms, secured against property/equipment at up to 50% LTV); Purchase Order Financing (R250k–R50M, minimum 30% profit margin, 25–30% success fee on government POs); Invoice Discounting (R250k–R50M, up to 80% advance on approved invoices, R5M+ turnover required); and Property Bridging Finance (R50k–R50M, up to 75% of property sale proceeds, R1.50/day per R1,000 borrowed). The company has cumulatively funded R2.3 Billion+ to 1,295+ businesses since 2017.

The business model combines subscription-style monthly interest (asset-backed), transaction-based fees (invoice discounting, property bridging), and outcome-based success fees (PO funding). Distribution is digital-first via the afg.africa website with online application forms, supplemented by a Refer & Earn consultant network of independent finance agents earning commission on successful deals. The company holds FICA Accountable Institution status (as of 25 March 2025) and is led by a CEO with prior JSE-listed financial services group experience, supported by a 20-person team that includes qualified attorneys, a Chartered Accountant CFO, and dedicated heads of credit, legal, marketing, sales, and operations.

Name

Alternative Finance Group (AFG)

Legal name

Alternative Finance Group (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://afg.africa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Alternative Finance Group (AFG) is a South African alternative lender serving SMEs in South Africa and Namibia through four products: asset-backed loans, purchase order funding, invoice discounting, and property bridging finance. The group was formed in 2025 via merger of four specialist lenders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Business Finance

NAICS

Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYFSAKAGAJ

SME Lending Platforms & Embedded SME Credit

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Small Business & Microenterprise Lending

SECONDARYFSAKAGAF

Equipment & Asset Finance (SME)

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Small Business & Microenterprise Lending

SECONDARYFSAKAGAL

SME Credit Underwriting, Scoring & Risk Analytics

Financial & Insurance/Lending & Consumer Finance/Small Business & Microenterprise Lending

SECONDARYFSAHAJAE

Direct Lending — Asset-Based Lending (ABL)

Financial & Insurance/Hedge Funds & Alternative Investments/Alternative Investments — Private Credit & Direct Lending

SECONDARYFSAHAJAF

Direct Lending — Specialty Finance (Consumer/SME Lending Platforms)

Financial & Insurance/Hedge Funds & Alternative Investments/Alternative Investments — Private Credit & Direct Lending

Keywords

• Asset-backed lending
• Purchase order financing
• Invoice discounting
• Property bridging finance
• Alternative business funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Centurion, Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Asset-Backed Lending Interest: Monthly interest payments on short-term asset-backed loans secured against property or equipment. The loan term is 2–12 months with a minimum interest rate of 3.5%, determined on a case-by-case basis. Borrowers must have annual turnover of R1m+ and provide unencumbered assets with at least 50% equity.
2. Purchase Order Funding — Profit Share / Success Fee: AFG charges a success fee of 25–30% of the gross profit on a purchase order contract. There is no monthly interest — fees are deducted only when the client receives payment from the government. The minimum PO value is R300,000 and profit margin must be at least 30%.
3. Invoice Discounting Fees: AFG advances up to 80% of the invoice value upfront. When the client pays the invoice, AFG deducts its fee and remits the remaining balance. Fees are charged on the invoice amount, are competitive and risk-adjusted, with no setup or early repayment penalties. Requires annual turnover of R5m+.
4. Property Bridging Finance: Short-term bridging loans leveraging sold property awaiting transfer (up to 75% of proceeds) or unencumbered property. Pricing is R1.50 per day per R1,000 borrowed, with no monthly compounding — clients pay only for the days they use the facility. No penalties on early repayment. Loan amounts range from R50,000 to R20 million.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Alternative Finance Group (AFG) provides short-term alternative finance solutions to South African SMEs that cannot access traditional bank funding. Its core offerings are four products: Asset Backed Financing (loans secured against paid-up fixed assets), Purchase Order Financing (working capital to fulfil confirmed government contracts), Invoice Discounting (advances of up to 80% of outstanding invoice values), and Property Bridging Finance (short-term loans against property sale proceeds or unencumbered property).

Product overview

Alternative Finance Group (AFG) operates as a multi-product alternative finance platform offering four core financing solutions: Asset Backed Financing (short-term loans secured against property, equipment, or inventory), Purchase Order Financing (funding for government contracts), Invoice Discounting Finance (up to 80% advance on unpaid invoices), and Property Bridging Finance (short-term bridging loans accessing up to 75% of property sale proceeds). The group was formed through the strategic merger of four specialist companies — CorpFin (asset-backed term loans, founded 2017), ProfitHub (purchase order funding, founded 2020), QuickBridge (property bridging finance, founded 2020), and DiscountDesk (invoice discounting, founded 2020) — consolidated under the AFG brand in 2025. AFG focuses on South African SMEs that cannot access traditional bank funding, providing faster, more flexible financing solutions than conventional lenders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Asset Backed Financing Short-term business loans of R500,000 to R50 million secured against paid-up fixed assets such as property, equipment, or inventory. Available to businesses with annual turnover of R1 million or more and a 2:1 asset-to-loan ratio, with terms of 2–12 months. Allows businesses to access liquidity without selling their assets.
• Purchase Order Financing Working capital funding of R250,000 to R50 million for SMEs with verified government or parastatal purchase orders and profit margins of at least 30%. AFG covers 100% of procurement and logistics costs, pays suppliers directly, and charges a success fee of 25–30% of gross profit. No monthly interest and no upfront costs.
• Invoice Discounting Finance Cash flow acceleration service for businesses with annual turnover of R5 million or more and approved outstanding invoices from clients. AFG advances up to 80% of invoice value within 24 hours, while the business retains control of its sales ledger and client relationships. Fees are competitive and risk-adjusted with no setup fees or early repayment penalties.
• Property Bridging Finance Short-term bridging loans of R50,000 to R20 million providing up to 75% of property sale proceeds before transfer is complete. Priced at R1.50 per day per R1,000 borrowed with no monthly compounding. Payout typically within 48 hours, no early repayment penalties, and 3–6 month terms with extensions available.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1295+ businesses supported since founding
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Conveyancing Attorneys (Property Bridging)minorOthersFor property bridging finance, AFG works with the seller's appointed conveyancing attorneys to register the bond or undertaking (5–7 days). The attorney's firm name and email are required fields in the property bridging application form, indicating a structured relationship for deal execution.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fundrr: South African online business funding marketplace offering short-term loans and working capital to SMEs via a digital application process. Comparable to AFG in target SME segment, digital-first GTM, and short-term lending products.
• Bridgement: South African invoice discounting platform providing SMEs with upfront cash against approved invoices. Directly comparable to AFG's Invoice Discounting product on customer segment, mechanism (advance against receivables), and geographic market.
• Lula (formerly Lulalend): South African online SME lender offering short-term working capital and business funding products to SMEs that struggle to access bank finance. Directly comparable to AFG in target customer, use case (cash flow / working capital), and digital-first GTM within the same geography.
• Cashflow Capital: South African invoice discounting and debtor finance provider offering working capital advances against trade receivables. Comparable to AFG's Invoice Discounting product on mechanism and target customer.
• Route One Holdings: South African specialist lender providing short-term business finance solutions including asset-backed lending, bridging finance, and working capital to SMEs. Comparable to AFG in product mix and target SME segment.
• Merchant Capital: South African specialist funder focused on purchase order and contract finance for SMEs, particularly those fulfilling government and corporate contracts. Directly comparable to AFG's Purchase Order Financing product on customer, mechanism, and geography.

Broad incumbents

• Absa (SME Banking): Major South African bank with a full SME banking offering including asset finance, invoice discounting, bridging finance, and working capital facilities. Comparable as the broad incumbent that AFG explicitly positions against by serving SMEs rejected on credit-score grounds.
• First National Bank (FNB SME): Major South African bank with an established SME business banking franchise covering asset finance, invoice discounting, and bridging finance. Comparable as the broad incumbent that AFG competes against for SME cash flow solutions.
• Standard Bank (Business Banking): One of South Africa's largest banks, offering comprehensive SME lending including asset finance, invoice discounting, bridging finance, and structured working capital. Comparable as the broad incumbent that AFG differentiates against on speed and accessibility.

Others

• Finance Houses Association of South Africa members: Industry body representing South African alternative lenders, including small and mid-tier finance houses offering asset-backed, bridging, and invoice finance to SMEs. AFG is positioned within this ecosystem of smaller specialist lenders and credit providers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alternative-finance-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Alternative Finance Group (AFG)