SeamlessHR, Gates Foundation Champion Embedded Finance as Key to Improving Workforce Productivity

Executive Summary

SeamlessHR, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, is spearheading the adoption of embedded finance solutions in Kenya as a transformative strategy to enhance workforce productivity, operational efficiency, and employee well-being. At a recent executive roundtable in Nairobi, industry leaders and experts underscored the pivotal role of integrating financial services directly into HR systems, enabling businesses to better support their employees and drive sustainable growth.

What Is Embedded Finance and Why Does It Matter?

Embedded finance refers to the integration of financial services—such as salary advances, savings, loans, and insurance—directly into non-financial digital platforms like HR or payroll systems. This approach allows organizations to deliver financial tools to employees without requiring them to interact separately with banks or third-party lenders, streamlining processes and reducing friction.

Key Benefits of Embedded Finance

• Improved Financial Inclusion: Especially for underbanked or blue-collar workers, embedded finance bridges the gap by providing access to essential financial services.
• Enhanced Employee Well-being: Employees gain timely access to earned wages, credit, and savings, reducing financial stress and absenteeism.
• Operational Efficiency: Automated, integrated solutions replace manual, error-prone processes, saving time and resources for HR departments.
• Business Resilience: By supporting employee financial stability, organizations see improved retention, engagement, and productivity.

Highlights from the SeamlessHR Executive Roundtable

The roundtable, themed “Scaling Business Performance: Strengthening Operational Sustainability and Workforce Productivity,” brought together C-suite leaders from key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, private security, and outsourcing. Keynote speakers and panelists emphasized the following:

1. Technology as a Growth Driver

Kris Senanu, Founder and Chairman of Blackrock Capital, highlighted that integrating smart technology into core business processes is now essential for scaling performance and ensuring operational stability. Companies that invest in agile, integrated solutions today will lead their industries tomorrow.

2. Gates Foundation’s Vision for Africa

Lynn Eisenhart, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, reinforced the foundation’s commitment to embedding finance at the heart of business strategy. With a $200 billion investment horizon focused on Africa, the foundation aims to extend financial services to “Business Critical Workers”—often blue-collar employees—through partnerships like the one with SeamlessHR.

3. Real-World Impact for Employers and Employees

Victor Komu, HR Director at Gardaworld Africa, shared that embedded finance solutions have directly contributed to reduced absenteeism, improved employee financial stability, and increased workforce productivity. For labor-intensive sectors, this translates to significant cost savings and a more resilient organization.

4. Data-Driven Results

Deji Lana, CTO and Co-founder of SeamlessHR, cited research showing that enabling employees to access earned wages before payday can reduce attrition by up to 23 percent. Embedded finance tools like Earned Wage Access and digital savings are especially impactful for contract and blue-collar workers with limited access to traditional banking.

5. Industry Collaboration

The event featured a panel with leaders from SeamlessHR, the Gates Foundation, Gardaworld Africa, and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, who discussed the broader implications of technology-enabled operations and financial inclusion for sustainable business growth.

The Broader Context: Embedded Finance in Kenya and Africa

Kenya’s fintech ecosystem is globally recognized, with innovations like M-Pesa revolutionizing payments. The next frontier is embedding financial services into platforms for medium and large enterprises, unlocking supply chain finance, working capital, and affordable credit.

SeamlessHR, with support from the Gates Foundation and Helios Digital Ventures, is at the forefront of this movement. The company’s embedded finance products are tailored to address Africa’s unique challenges—economic instability, limited credit access, and outdated HR systems—by providing responsible credit, payroll financing, and salary assurance.

SeamlessHR’s Embedded Finance Solution: Key Features

• Guaranteed Payday: Flexible capital loans ensure timely payroll, even during cash flow crunches.
• Earned Wage Access: Employees can access part of their earned wages before payday, reducing reliance on predatory lenders.
• Integrated Approvals: Multi-step workflows fit seamlessly with existing HR processes.
• Bank-Level Security: Secure, encrypted transactions protect sensitive data.
• Payroll Financing: Supports clients with suppliers on longer credit terms, ensuring business continuity.

Strategic Partnerships and Funding

SeamlessHR has raised over $20 million, including $9 million from the Gates Foundation and Helios Digital Ventures, to expand its reach and develop innovative embedded finance products. Its collaboration with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and other industry bodies further reinforces its commitment to driving financial inclusion and productivity across Africa.

The Future: Financial Empowerment as a Strategic Asset

Bryan Kariuki, Regional Vice President for East Africa at SeamlessHR, summed up the vision: “The future of work is about embedding financial empowerment into the employee experience. Embedded finance delivers tangible value across the employee–employer relationship. For employees, it provides timely access to financial tools that reduce stress and improve financial stability. For employers, it enhances workforce productivity, strengthens retention, and builds a more resilient, engaged organisation.”