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Umba

ActiveFintechDigital Lending & CreditSan FranciscoFounded 2018

What it does

Umba was founded by Tiernan Kennedy and Barry O'Mahony as a Nigerian digital bank, later expanding to Kenya by acquiring Daraja Microfinance Bank in 2022. The company raised a $15M Series A in 2022 led by Costanoa Ventures. Co-founder Barry O'Mahony exited in 2023, and Umba is now headquartered in Nairobi with operations in Kenya and Nigeria. In 2025, it raised a $5M debt facility from Star Strong Capital.

Consumer / retail lendingDigital / challenger banks (neobanks)Digital savings platforms

Known for

  • Digital banking in Kenya and Nigeria
  • Acquired Daraja Microfinance Bank (Kenya)
  • $15M Series A raise

Model & industry

SaaSAll / Cross-industry

Funding history

$15.0M
Total raised
1
Rounds
Series A
Latest stage
2022
Latest year
DateStageAmountLead investor
2022-04Series A$15.0MCostanoa Ventures

Products & subsidiaries

Umba Digital Bank · Digital Banking

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People

Investors

External links