AI in Finance: UX strategies for agentic experiences in credit

Credit is one of the most powerful engines of economic growth, yet across Nigeria and much of Africa, it remains constrained by structural challenges. Lenders face high default rates, fragmented repayment systems, fraud, and the costs of manual operations. Borrowers, on the other hand, must navigate slow application processes, rigid repayment schedules, opaque scoring models, and the persistent stigma that borrowing is a sign of weakness rather than a pathway to opportunity.

Artificial intelligence offers a way forward. A key player driving this shift is Gideon Adeyemi through Yana Finance. Gideon, a Co-founder and the Head of Product at Yana Finance, is a leading voice in innovative financial technology. Over the years, he has been a driving force in the African tech industry and a respected leader shaping the African UX community. With years of experience building innovative digital solutions in finance.

Gideon argues that credit in Africa must move beyond outdated, rigid systems to become more predictive, adaptive, and human. “Agentic AI doesn’t wait for input,” he explained. “It anticipates needs, forecasts risks, and provides guidance. That’s the kind of experience we’re building at Yana.”

Under his leadership, Yana Finance has pioneered the embedding of AI and machine learning (ML) into the entire credit lifecycle, from loan origination to collections. The company’s approach is redefining Credit as a Service, solving inefficiencies for lenders while offering borrowers more transparent and stigma-free experiences.

“We don’t see AI as an add-on that speeds up old processes,” Gideon said. “At Yana, it’s built into the foundation of how credit is originated, scored, managed, and repaid.”

One of Yana’s most notable innovations is its AI-powered Collections Engine, which was recently launched and has quickly gained attention in Nigeria’s financial space. Unlike legacy debit systems that fail after one rigid attempt, Yana’s engine uses machine learning to adapt. It scans multiple accounts and wallets, enables partial debits, and learns borrower behaviour to optimise repayment timing.

“The result is higher recovery rates for lenders and a far less stressful process for borrowers,” Gideon explained.

The company’s AI systems also reimagine underwriting and scoring. Loan approvals that once took days can now be completed in minutes, while borrowers see not just their credit score but actionable insights into how to improve it. Predictive risk models flag potential defaults early, allowing lenders to restructure and borrowers to stay on track. Repayment coaching features nudge borrowers in supportive ways, aligning reminders with salary inflows and encouraging even partial payments.

Gideon added that Yana’s impact goes beyond technical breakthroughs. For him, a huge part of the mission is tackling the stigma around borrowing in Nigeria.

“For too long, borrowing has been seen as shameful,” he said. “We want to dismantle that perception by designing credit experiences that are discreet, supportive, and empowering. Credit should feel like a natural financial tool that helps people progress with everyday financial needs with dignity.”

“The future of credit in Africa will be defined by intelligence and empathy working together,” Gideon said. “AI and ML will deliver speed and prediction, while design ensures dignity, transparency, and trust.”

With Gideon anchoring this vision, Yana Finance is positioning itself as a trailblazer in Africa’s fintech space, showing how AI can power not just efficiency, but a more humane credit system.