In emerging markets, access to credit remains a critical barrier for millions striving to build livelihoods. For Reiji Kobayashi, co-founder and CEO of Hakki, this challenge became a personal mission. Alongside Koji Tokida, COO, and Chanda Gomra, India Director, Kobayashi is transforming vehicle financing and microfinance, first in Kenya and now in India, through innovative, inclusive lending models.
Kobayashi’s entrepreneurial journey began in Japan, where he studied at Hosei University and explored early business ventures. His path took shape in Kenya, where he launched a microfinance startup focused on drivers and small entrepreneurs often excluded from traditional banking. “Traditional credit systems overlook potential,” Kobayashi says. “We wanted a solution that sees people’s real capabilities, not just numbers on a page.”
This vision underpins Hakki’s alternative credit scoring model, which evaluates borrowers using real-world data such as ride earnings, repayment histories, and mobile transactions. The result is a financing system that enables individuals to own vehicles rather than rent, boosting incomes and creating long-term financial stability. Thousands of vehicles have already been financed in Kenya, demonstrating both impact and viability.
India represents the next frontier. Kobayashi relocated to Bengaluru to personally lead Hakki’s expansion, overseeing the adaptation of its Kenyan model to the Indian context. With millions of gig-economy drivers and underbanked entrepreneurs, India offers both scale and complexity. “We cannot replicate a model blindly,” Kobayashi explains. “Our goal is to adapt, listen, and design solutions that serve local communities effectively.”
The founding team balances vision with execution. Koji Tokida ensures operational discipline and process scalability, while Chanda Gomra provides local insight and strategic oversight for market entry. Together, they embody a leadership model that combines global perspective with local expertise, critical for building trust and scaling responsibly.
Hakki’s technology is as innovative as its leadership. Its proprietary algorithm automates credit assessments, continuously learning from borrower behavior, enabling fast, fair, and accurate lending decisions. Yet, Kobayashi emphasizes that human judgment remains central: “Technology enhances decisions, but our focus is always on people—understanding their needs and potential.”
The company’s vision has attracted investor confidence, including a significant impact investment from SMBC Venture Capital. Kobayashi sees this as validation of a model that aligns social impact with financial sustainability. The goal is not just growth but measurable improvement in the lives of those who gain access to credit for the first time.
As Hakki grows in India, the story remains founder-driven. Reiji Kobayashi’s journey from Japan to Africa and now India exemplifies determination, vision, and the belief that financial inclusion can be transformative. Supported by Tokida and Gomra, he is turning innovative lending into a global movement, proving that access to credit can unlock opportunity and empower communities.
In redefining how credit is delivered across borders, Hakki is more than a fintech company—it is a testament to the impact that founders with vision and courage can create.
