Banking
Online Loans in Nigeria—from the Beginnings to the Present
In the past, borrowing money meant waiting in stuffy office branches where you might not get the needed money. Nowadays, the world is moving forward, and we have the opportunity to take advantage of today’s digital advances to get money instantly, wherever we are. Just type “Get a loan” in your browser search engine, and you will get dozens of results with companies that offer loans in just a few taps of your mobile phone screen.
Waiting in a bank vs. an instant loan
In the past, you had to make an appointment at a bank or wait in a long line to be called by a loan officer. In addition, you required collateral, official employment, and a large package of documents. Nowadays, you don’t even have to imagine such a tedious task because with the widespread use of the Internet. You can simply choose a lender through advertising, searching on the Internet, or through friends who have already used the services of online companies and can advise you.
Fintech in Nigeria
Fintech is a breakthrough of the 21st century. It has expanded the horizons of loan users by creating platforms such as CashX, Carbon, FairMoney, and Branch. Customers instantly caught the wave and preferred these companies because of their reliability and ease of access to funds.
For example, CashX offers online loan in Nigeria from ₦5000 to ₦300,000. In addition, the company guarantees fast processing of applications: only 15 minutes — no physical documents required — and the money is already in your bank account. Carbon is a preferred choice for those looking for savings and investment options. Older companies such as FairMoney and Branch also use a similar methodology.
Real-life examples of when online loans are the best option
For example, Adanna owns a beauty salon in Lagos. Business is hard, and people often don’t want to do serious business with her because there is still a perception that women are better off doing light work or housework. But no, Adanna is determined to move up the career ladder and make her hair salon one of the best in the city. She turned to CashX, got a loan for her supplies (dye, brushes, cosmetics, etc.) and had funds left over to promote her brand through social media targeting. She invested wisely and repaid the company’s debt on time, as she only required the money to pursue her brilliant ideas. Furthermore, she is a talented and hardworking person herself, so she knows how to invest money in a way that makes it work for her. She quickly gained a clientele through advertising and hired a few more assistants because she couldn’t handle the influx of customers. And now her business is booming. Adanna’s story is just one of many.
You can get money not only for business. Most of us have faced situations where things get tough, and we urgently need money. There are many situations when loans become lifelines and provide great opportunities.
Look for reliable companies
Here are four of the best companies currently operating in the Nigerian financial market, and we’ll briefly introduce each of them.
- CashX: a young company whose main goal is to satisfy the needs of consumers in a way that competitors cannot. Comfortable conditions, easy access, and fast money transfers.
- Carbon: a well-known and trusted company.
- FairMoney: perfect for small needs.
- Branch: a company with good support on all issues, often offering effective advice on their social media.
Why do Nigerians frequently apply for online loans?
They always know what to expect. No collateral is required, the application process is easy, and the user’s account contains comprehensive information on how much and when to return the money. Customers can take out a loan for any purpose: from buying a crib for a child to starting a business. The only advice that applies not only to fintech companies but also to cooperation with banks: always take only the amount that you can comfortably and timely repay. This is your area of responsibility.
On the future of online lending in Nigeria
Fintech is rapidly gaining momentum; therefore, more and more companies will appear every year. The competition will become even higher, and brands will fight for customers. This is beneficial for users, as they will be able to choose the best financial assistance and use the money on the most favorable terms. There will be personalized offers, additional discounts, new functionality, etc. And of course, all of this will be regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for security and to ensure the best experience for Nigerians.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says depositors of failed banks in Nigeria can now access their insured funds within days.
The corporation said the development is a part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening confidence in the country’s financial system.
The chief executive of NDIC, Mr Thompson Sunday, disclosed this on Thursday at the NDIC Special Day of the 47th Kaduna International Trade Fair, noting that recent interventions had significantly improved the speed and efficiency of depositor compensation.
Represented by Mrs Regina Dimlong, the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Mr Sunday said the corporation had successfully deployed the Bank Verification Number (BVN) system to facilitate prompt payments to customers of recently failed banks, including Heritage Bank Limited, Union Homes Plc and Aso Savings and Loans Plc.
“Depositors were paid within days of closure without the need to fill physical forms or visit NDIC offices.
“This is a part of our reform efforts to make depositor protection faster, simpler and more transparent,” he said.
According to him, the reforms were designed to restore public confidence in the banking system and prevent panic withdrawals, especially during periods of financial stress.
Mr Sunday explained that NDIC’s mandate spans deposit insurance, bank supervision, distress resolution and liquidation of failed banks, adding that the Corporation works closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure early detection of risks in insured institutions.
He disclosed that in 2024, NDIC reviewed its deposit insurance framework, increasing coverage for depositors of Deposit Money Banks, Mobile Money Operators and Non-Interest Banks to N5 million, while customers of Microfinance Banks, Primary Mortgage Banks and Payment Service Banks are now covered up to N2 million.
He noted that the revised thresholds now guarantee full protection for about 99 per cent of depositors nationwide, particularly small savers and low-income earners.
The NDIC boss urged Nigerians to ensure their BVNs are properly linked to their bank accounts, stressing that this had become the primary channel for accessing insured deposits in the event of bank failure.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has secured a major strategic gain at the ongoing 39th African Union Summit, after securing a permanent seat on the board of the African Central Bank.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed this at the summit on Friday, highlighting it as a significant milestone for both Nigeria and the West African region.
The African Central Bank (ACB) is one of the original five financial institutions and specialised agencies of the African Union (AU).
“Importantly, Nigeria has been given the hosting of the African Monetary Institute and the African Central Bank. Not only that, in today’s plenary, Nigeria was confirmed a seat on the board of the African Central Bank. This is huge,” he said.
He stated that the development represents a diplomatic breakthrough, mentioning that the move faced initial opposition from some member states.
“It is something that was initially resisted by some countries, so now we have a permanent seat on the African Central Bank board. It’s a major success,” he added.
This year’s summit carries the theme Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063, the sessions will focus on advancing continental commitments to sustainable water management and improved sanitation, critical pillars for health, agricultural productivity, and the broader development aspirations of the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Beyond financial governance, Nigeria and the West African bloc also recorded progress in elections to the Peace and Security Council, the African Union’s highest decision-making body on conflict and security matters.
The delegation announced that “Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Benin have been elected,” with Benin securing a fresh term while the other two countries were re-elected.
The Peace and Security Council also convened to deliberate on the situations in Sudan and Somalia. Nigeria voiced strong reservations over Sudan’s potential readmission into the continental body.
“Nigeria voiced its reservations about Sudan being readmitted because, as you know, there are two warring factions in Sudan,” Tuggar stated.
“We reminded the Peace and Security Council that we have to abide by the rules and regulations of the African Union. If there has been an unconstitutional change of government, then the country should not be allowed to participate, and that was carried.”
The summit also outlined its 2026 theme: water sustainability. The Nigerian representative underscored the country’s strategic and demographic significance in advancing that agenda.
“Nigeria was created out of the confluence of the River Niger and the River Benue. So water is very important,” he said.
“We are the largest country in Africa, with a population of 230 million people. We’re going to be 400 million in the next 24 years. So water is a source of life. It’s very important, and we’re playing a very pivotal role in implementing the programs that are being set for the theme of the year.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The second African Markets Conference (AMC) will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from Sunday, February to Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The event, hosted by Standard Bank, will bring together global institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and African policymakers to catalyse the flow of capital into the continent’s most critical sectors.
The theme for this year’s edition is Mobilising Global Capital at Scale for Africa’s Growth and Development.
AMC 2026 will host a high-level delegation of decision-makers, ensuring that the dialogue leads to tangible commitments.
The conference will be structured around five high-impact pillars designed to move the needle on investment, including prioritising infrastructure as an asset class, accelerating the energy transition, deepening African capital markets and mobilising private capital, enabling intra-African trade and flows of capital, and addressing Africa’s sovereign debt and cost sustainability.
It is estimated that by 2050, Africa will add one billion people, more than half in cities, yet it invests only $75 billion of the $150 billion it needs annually for infrastructure. Standard Bank aims to use AMC 2026 to ensure that African priorities remain at the centre of the global financial discourse.
“This year’s engagement bridges the gap between policy ambitions and market realities. Africa urgently needs practical measures to deepen capital pools, improve market liquidity, and strengthen regulatory frameworks that give investors the confidence to deploy capital at scale.
“Mobilising capital is not just about funding projects; it is about building the foundation of a more balanced and inclusive global economy,” the chief executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Group, Luvuyo Masinda, stated.
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