RetailWings Africa has partnered with Corner Block Services Limited to improve access to working capital for retailers across Africa.

The strategic partnership agreement, signed by both companies, seeks to address one of the most persistent barriers to growth for small and medium-sized businesses on the continent — limited access to financing.

The agreement was signed at the RetailWings Africa head office in Lagos 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 partnership, eligible merchants using the RetailWings ERP platform will be able to apply for working capital financing through Corner Block Services Limited. Rather than relying solely on traditional collateral requirements, credit assessments will incorporate business performance data generated through the RetailWings platform.

The companies noted that access to credit remains a major challenge for many African retailers, particularly small and growing businesses that often struggle to meet the collateral requirements imposed by conventional lenders.

They identified limited financing as a major constraint to inventory expansion, operational growth, and long-term business sustainability across the retail sector.

According to the partnership framework, merchants who maintain active usage of the RetailWings ERP platform for at least three months will become eligible to apply for financing. Lending decisions will be based partly on transaction records and operational data generated through the platform, allowing credit providers to assess businesses using real-time commercial performance indicators.

Speaking on the partnership, Akintilebo said the initiative reflects RetailWings Africa’s broader commitment to supporting retailers beyond software adoption.

“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 stated that the collaboration aligns with Corner Block Services Limited’s objective of expanding 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.

The partnership reflects a growing trend within Africa’s financial and technology sectors, where alternative lending models are increasingly being developed around digital transaction data rather than traditional collateral-based frameworks.

Supporters of the approach argue that such models could significantly improve financial inclusion by enabling lenders to assess businesses using verifiable operational records and real-time performance data.

RetailWings Africa provides retail management software designed for African businesses, offering tools for inventory management, sales tracking, finance, customer management, and operational oversight through a unified platform.

The company currently supports retailers seeking to digitise and streamline their operations across multiple markets.

Corner Block Services Limited is a financial services company focused on providing credit solutions to businesses across Nigeria and other African markets through data-driven lending models.

Both companies said the partnership is expected to strengthen support available to retailers by combining business management technology with improved access to growth capital — an area widely regarded as critical to the development of Africa’s small business sector.