Somo

What Somo does

Somo is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (The Somo Africa Trust) headquartered in New York with primary operations in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 2016 by Amelia Hopkins Phillips, Somo supports micro and small entrepreneurs in marginalized communities of East Africa, with 10+ community hubs across Kenya (Kibera, Kayole, Githurai, Kisumu, Mombasa, Likoni, Kilifi, Kwale, Kakamega, Busia) and one in Tanzania (Arusha), plus an office in New York. The organization has grown to 77 employees, supported 12,000+ entrepreneurs, financed 821 businesses, and impacted 14,000+ jobs in Kenya and Tanzania, with planned expansion into Uganda.

Somo's core offering is an integrated platform of training, financing, and market-access services delivered through a digital ecosystem and physical hubs. The technology stack includes DigiKua (USSD and WhatsApp-based business reporting and financial documentation tool), DigiSomo (remote training via video, WhatsApp, SMS, and toll-free audio), Somo Invest (an inclusive financing portal connecting entrepreneurs to growth partners with an alternative credit scoring system that uses social impact and real-time financial data instead of traditional collateral), Somo Academy (in-person and blended mentorship), Somo Duka (e-commerce marketplace), and Somo Soko (annual market event). Loans are issued at impact-driven rates of 5-10% flat fee with 6-36 month terms and 1-3 month grace periods, and a group co-guarantee lending model is used.

Somo's revenue model is multi-stream: primarily donations and grants from individuals, foundations, and institutional partners (Bestseller Foundation, Standard Chartered, Google.org, USAID, UKaid, GIZ, KCB Foundation, Optimizer Foundation, DTB, A to Z Impact), supplemented by product sales through the Somo Duka e-commerce storefront (KES 200-9,000 price range) and inclusive financing interest income. The organization operates on a community-led, hub-and-spoke go-to-market motion, with on-the-ground training coordinators, business coaches, and regional managers executing programs alongside digital tools for remote engagement.

Name

Somo

Legal name

The Somo Africa Trust

Website

https://somoafrica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Somo is a US-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit operating 10+ community hubs in Kenya and Tanzania that delivers integrated training, collateral-free financing, and market access to micro and small entrepreneurs in marginalized East African communities, using a proprietary digital platform (DigiKua, DigiSomo, Somo Invest).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Development and Inclusive Financing

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

Keywords

• Entrepreneur support services
• Microfinance lending programs
• Nonprofit business training
• Inclusive financing services
• Digital business management

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Somo relies primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations support Somo Academy, Somo Invest, and Somo Channels programs directly contributing to livelihood creation.
2. Product Sales (Somo Duka): E-commerce platform selling products made by Somo entrepreneurs including food, beauty, crafts, and merchandise. Products are sold at various price points in KES.
3. Inclusive Financing Operations: Somo provides flexible, low-interest loans to entrepreneurs featuring alternative credit scoring. Terms include 6-36 month terms, 1-3 month grace periods, and 5-10% flat fee interest rates. As a non-profit model, financing is impact-driven rather than commercially focused.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Somo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports sustainable growth and job creation for micro and small businesses in marginalized communities in East Africa. The organization provides a holistic ecosystem comprising three pillars: Somo Academy (entrepreneur training and mentorship), Somo Invest (inclusive financing and growth partner matching), and Somo Channels (market access through Somo Duka e-commerce and Somo Soko annual market). Supporting the ecosystem are proprietary digital tools DigiSomo (remote training) and DigiKua (mobile business reporting and credit documentation).

Product overview

Somo Africa operates as a non-profit organization supporting micro and small businesses in East Africa through a portfolio of interconnected digital tools and programs. The core offerings include DigiSomo (digital training via video, WhatsApp, and SMS), DigiKua (USSD and WhatsApp-based business reporting and financial documentation tool), Somo Invest (investment and financing platform connecting entrepreneurs with growth partners), Somo Academy (training and mentorship program), Somo Soko (annual market access event), and Somo Duka (e-commerce marketplace). These products work together to provide a holistic ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs from training through financing to market access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Somo Academy Training and advisory program where entrepreneurs receive individualized mentorship and blended online and face-to-face training for both basic and social impact businesses. Targeted at micro and small business owners in marginalized communities across East Africa.
• Somo Invest Investment and financing platform that facilitates customized inclusive financing for entrepreneurs, equipped with digital reporting and online financing tools, connecting them to growth partners for scale. Uses an alternative credit scoring system based on social impact and financial data rather than traditional collateral. Targets underbanked entrepreneurs and connects them with impact investors.
• DigiKua USSD and WhatsApp-based digital reporting tool that empowers users to run their businesses, make informed sustainable financial decisions, and access financing from institutions that require formal financial documentation. Captures real-time financial and impact data that feeds into the alternative credit scoring system. Targets micro and small entrepreneurs without formal financial records.
• DigiSomo Digital training tool that equips entrepreneurs remotely with critical skills for starting and running a business via video lessons, WhatsApp and SMS-based content, and pre-recorded audio available via a toll-free number. Designed to reach entrepreneurs in informal settlements and rural areas without reliable internet access.
• Somo Duka Online e-commerce marketplace where customers can purchase unique, locally made products from Kenya and Tanzania, including food, beauty, crafts, and merchandise categories. Products are listed in Kenyan Shillings (KES) and support WhatsApp ordering. Third-party sellers are Somo portfolio entrepreneurs.
• Somo Soko Annual market event program that helps entrepreneurs network, share their stories, and sell their products directly to consumers. Serves as a key community touchpoint for the Somo ecosystem, with products spanning food, beauty, crafts, and merchandise.

Quantifiable outcome

• 821 businesses financed with 2.45% NPL rate
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and moderate.

• ACT FoundationminorOthersPartner organization supporting Somo's programs through charitable contributions.
• Amani InstitutemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on workforce development and entrepreneurship support in East Africa.
• Catcha FireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• GenesisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• SolveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on solving social challenges.
• RedwoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting programs.
• FateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Root Capital: Impact investing organization for SMEs in Africa and Latin America. Comparable in sustainable agriculture focus and impact-first capital deployment to underserved rural businesses.
• Tala: Mobile app providing credit to underbanked customers using alternative data in Kenya and other emerging markets. Comparable alternative credit scoring model and target segment of unbanked entrepreneurs.
• Acumen: Impact investment fund focused on entrepreneurs in East Africa and other emerging markets. Comparable mission-driven approach to financing underserved SMBs and emphasis on measurable social impact.
• Kiva: Non-profit P2P crowdfunding microfinance platform that lends to underserved entrepreneurs globally. Directly comparable to Somo Invest in mission, group-lending model, and target segment of underbanked SMBs.
• Jumo: Digital financial services platform providing credit, savings, and insurance to unbanked customers in Africa. Comparable in mobile-first approach to serving underbanked customers in the same East African region.
• M-KOPA: East African pay-as-you-go financing platform for solar and digital assets serving low-income households. Comparable in Kenya/Tanzania focus, alternative credit scoring approach, and mobile-first design for underserved customers.
• Branch International: Mobile lending platform using alternative credit scoring algorithms in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania). Direct competitor to Somo Invest with similar target market and digital-first underwriting.

Broad incumbents

• BRAC: One of the largest international NGOs with microfinance, training, and entrepreneurship programs globally including Africa. Comparable in holistic mission-driven approach to underserved communities but operates at much larger scale.
• Grameen Bank: Pioneer of microfinance globally and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Comparable in inclusive finance model, group-lending methodology, and focus on collateral-free lending to the poor.
• Opportunity International: Global microfinance and business training organization serving the poor across Africa and other developing regions. Comparable in combining training and financing for underserved entrepreneurs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/somo_org
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwl-vQYeqHbJXIiZZadvG6g
• Facebookfacebook.com/somo.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-somo-project
• Instagraminstagram.com/somo_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Somo