SeamlessHR, a leading provider of HR and payroll software solutions in Africa, has announced the successful close of a $9 million funding round. The round was led by the Gates Foundation and Helios Digital Ventures, with the investment earmarked to accelerate SeamlessHR’s expansion across Africa and enhance workforce productivity. The funding will also fuel the development of innovative solutions, including AI-driven workforce management and embedded finance offerings aimed at empowering businesses and employees alike.
Expanding Embedded Finance and Workforce Management Technology
This funding milestone follows SeamlessHR’s recent launch of embedded finance products that provide employers and employees with critical financing solutions, such as payroll financing. These offerings are designed to drive business growth while addressing financial inclusion challenges across the continent.
Dr. Emmanuel Okeleji, Co-founder and CEO of SeamlessHR, expressed his excitement about the company’s journey, stating:
“Over the last five years, we have grown to become the leading HR and Payroll Software provider for medium to large enterprises in Africa. While we continue to optimize workforce productivity across public and private sectors, much of our focus will be on empowering hardworking Africans with responsible credit products. These solutions will allow them to use their employment as collateral to achieve a better quality of life.”
SeamlessHR’s software is currently used by nearly 2,000 businesses to manage HR and payroll processes for over 300,000 employees across 20 African countries.
Transforming Financial Inclusion in Africa
SeamlessHR’s embedded finance solutions aim to provide responsible credit access, enabling workers to secure basic needs such as shelter, mobility, food, and education. Speaking on the significance of this initiative, Dr. Okeleji added:
“We are confident that our embedded finance products will address these challenges at scale, enabling working Africans to leverage their employment for improved access to critical life needs. Partnering with the Gates Foundation, Helios, and our supportive earlier investors strengthens our mission to drive meaningful impact across the continent.”
Strategic Partnerships and Investor Support
Fope Adelowo, Managing Partner at Helios Digital Ventures, highlighted SeamlessHR’s potential to unlock Africa’s economic growth:
“Technology is the key to unlocking Africa’s immense potential as a global economic force. SeamlessHR is pioneering workforce management digitization while empowering businesses and employees with transformative solutions like embedded finance. By offering salary assurance and enhanced wage access, they are breaking barriers to financial inclusion. We are thrilled to partner with SeamlessHR to amplify their impact in Africa’s next growth phase.”
Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria Country Director at the Gates Foundation, emphasized the relevance of SeamlessHR’s mission, particularly in Nigeria:
“The Gates Foundation is excited about SeamlessHR’s potential to provide critical financial services for millions of hardworking, formally employed Africans. In Nigeria, this can play a significant role in mitigating the increasing cost of living and improving financial stability for workers.”
Driving Africa’s Workforce Productivity
With this funding, SeamlessHR is set to advance its vision of becoming Africa’s leading provider of workforce management and financial empowerment tools. By combining AI-powered workforce technology and responsible credit solutions, the company is poised to create a transformative impact on businesses and employees across the continent.
