UK Finance Firm Zvilo Launches in South Africa
The trade finance provider seeks to bridge the local SME working capital gap by deploying billions in funding.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Financial Services
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UK-based trade finance firm Zvilo has officially launched operations in South Africa. The company aims to address a significant financing gap for local small and medium-sized enterprises through a proprietary technology platform.
Why it matters
Zvilo intends to mitigate an estimated 350 billion rand financing shortfall facing South African SMEs. By leveraging local supply chains, the firm plans to provide essential working capital to help businesses scale their operations.
Zvilo aims for 2 billion rand in initial working capital funding, with plans to scale deployment to 10 billion rand over the next three to five years. This initiative follows the company's historical disbursement of 440 million euros to SMEs across 41 global markets.
The players
Peter Maila
He serves as the newly appointed CEO of Zvilo Africa.
Palesa Mabasa
She is a managing partner for Zvilo South Africa.
Shiko Mbambu
She is a managing partner for Zvilo South Africa.
Zvilo
This UK-based trade finance provider offers working capital solutions through a digital technology platform.
The details
The firm, which has appointed Peter Maila as CEO of Zvilo Africa, uses technology to streamline access to capital for smaller enterprises. Managing partners Palesa Mabasa and Shiko Mbambu will lead the South African division as the company eyes further expansion across the continent.
Timeline
Zvilo reached 440 million euros in total global SME disbursements by the end of Q3 2026.
The launch of South African operations was noted on 28 October 2026.
The company targets achieving its 10 billion rand funding goal between 2029 and 2031.
Market Landscape
The entry of Zvilo represents a strategic effort to capitalize on the substantial SME financing gap in South Africa, which remains a critical barrier for local enterprise growth. This move positions the firm to compete for market share against traditional lenders by offering tech-enabled liquidity.
Local small business owners may gain improved access to working capital to sustain or expand their supply chains. This could lead to more competitive funding options compared to traditional bank loans available in the current market.
The takeaway
Zvilo is positioning South Africa as a central hub for its broader African market growth strategy. Entrepreneurs should monitor how these new credit facilities compare to existing regional financing products.
Further reading
For more on the local financial sector, visit the Financial Services section.
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