RetailWings Africa has entered into a strategic partnership with Corner Block Services Limited to improve access to working capital for retailers and small businesses across Africa.

The agreement, signed at RetailWings Africa’s headquarters in Lagos, is aimed at addressing one of the major challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises on the continent — limited access to financing.

The partnership was formalised by the Managing Partner of RetailWings Africa, Akinola Akintilebo, and the Head of Sales and Business Development at Corner Block Services Limited, Matthew Enemona Ameh.

Under the arrangement, eligible merchants using the RetailWings Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform will be able to apply for working capital financing through Corner Block Services Limited. Credit assessments will incorporate business performance and transaction data generated through the platform, reducing reliance on traditional collateral requirements.

The companies noted that many African retailers, particularly small and growing businesses, face difficulties accessing credit due to stringent collateral conditions imposed by conventional lenders. They identified limited financing as a significant obstacle to inventory expansion, business growth and long-term sustainability within the retail sector.

According to the partnership framework, merchants who have actively used the RetailWings ERP platform for at least three months will qualify to apply for financing. Lending decisions will be based partly on operational and transaction records generated through the platform, enabling credit providers to evaluate businesses using real-time performance indicators.

Speaking on the initiative, Akintilebo said the partnership aligns with RetailWings Africa’s commitment to supporting retailers beyond the provision of technology solutions.

“Our merchants need more than technology to run their businesses effectively; they also need access to capital to seize growth opportunities when they arise. This partnership allows us to extend additional value to businesses operating within our ecosystem by creating a pathway to financing linked to measurable business performance,” he said.

Ameh said the collaboration supports Corner Block Services Limited’s goal of widening access to credit for underserved businesses.

“Many viable businesses remain excluded from formal financing channels despite demonstrating strong commercial potential. By leveraging operational data, we can support more informed lending decisions and broaden access to funding for entrepreneurs and retailers seeking to grow their businesses,” he said.

Industry observers have identified the partnership as part of a growing shift within Africa’s financial and technology sectors towards alternative lending models that utilise digital transaction data and operational records rather than conventional collateral-based frameworks

Advocates of the model argue that it can improve financial inclusion by enabling lenders to assess businesses based on verifiable commercial activity and real-time performance data.

RetailWings Africa provides retail management software for businesses across the continent, offering solutions for inventory management, sales tracking, finance, customer management and operational oversight through a unified platform.

Corner Block Services Limited is a financial services company that provides credit solutions to businesses in Nigeria and other African markets through data-driven lending models.

Both organisations expressed confidence that the partnership will strengthen support for retailers by combining business management technology with improved access to growth capital, a key requirement for the development and expansion of Africa’s small business sector.