Banking
How FairMoney Is Powering Financial Inclusion for Nigerian Hustlers
By Margaret Banasko
Urbanization is reshaping Nigeria’s economic landscape, creating new possibilities for millions of young people who relocate each year in search of opportunity. Cities like Lagos, Kano, and Abuja continue to expand as ambitious Nigerians leave their hometowns with the hope of building stable, sustainable livelihoods.
Recent figures highlight the pace of this shift. As of 2024, more than half of Nigeria’s population – around 128 million people – live in urban areas. Many of these individuals are young entrepreneurs and self-employed workers determined to turn their skills, ideas, and hustle into meaningful income. However, navigating the financial requirements needed to sustain and grow a small business is often challenging for those operating in informal or early-stage sectors.
This is where digital financial platforms have become transformational. With only a mobile phone, an internet connection, and a Bank Verification Number (BVN), Nigerians are increasingly able to access a wider range of financial tools designed to support their daily needs and long-term goals. FairMoney is among the institutions driving this progress by offering services that meet people where they are and support their ambition to grow.
Aigbe Osasere’s experience reflects this evolution. He moved from Benin City to Lagos with the goal of establishing a fish farming business in Ijegun, Alimosho. His vision was clear: create a small, efficient operation that could supply fresh fish to local buyers. Like many small business owners, he needed reliable access to funds to purchase fingerlings, buy feed, replace equipment, and maintain steady production. Managing these cycles required financial tools that matched the fast pace of his operations.
Through the FairMoney app, Aigbe gained access to digital banking services immediately after completing BVN verification. The availability of instant loans provided the flexibility he needed to restock quickly and maintain continuous production. For a business model where timing is central to profitability, this support allowed him to keep his operations consistent and responsive to customer demand.
Opening a FairMoney bank account and receiving a physical debit card further strengthened his business structure. Bulk buyers began paying him directly into his account, giving him clearer financial records and better visibility into his daily revenue. With his debit card, he could purchase supplies, withdraw cash conveniently, and manage his finances in a more organized way.
Aigbe also adopted FairMoney’s savings features to help him preserve and grow his earnings. By setting aside a portion of his daily sales, he is gradually building the capital needed to increase his fish tanks, expand his capacity, and move toward a more scalable operation.
Beyond supporting his business, FairMoney has become part of his everyday life. From the app, he sends money to family members, pays bills, buys airtime and data, and settles electricity tokens quickly and efficiently. This convenience allows him to focus more fully on running and growing his business.
Aigbe’s story is one example of how digital banking is broadening access to financial services across Nigeria. Entrepreneurs, freelancers, traders, and young workers are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to manage money, plan for growth, and participate more actively in the financial system.
As more Nigerians pursue self-employment and urban entrepreneurship, tools that offer accessibility, speed, and flexibility are playing an important role in supporting their progress. With FairMoney, many are finding a dependable partner that aligns with their goals, their pace, and their vision for the future.
Margaret Banasko is the Head of Marketing at FairMoney MFB
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The digital banking arm of Wema Bank Plc, ALAT, is scheduled for an upgrade this month, a statement from the lender has revealed.
Tagged ALAT: The Evolution, Wema Bank said it is adding more features to the platform to once again redefine the future of banking and set the standard on the next chapter in the industry.
With ALAT: The Evolution, the company is pushing the envelope even further, saying it represents a thoughtful evolution of everything users already love about ALAT; redesigned to feel more intuitive, more responsive, and more personal.
From faster interactions, to a smarter understanding of user behavior, to the introduction of SAW (Smart ALAT by Wema, an AI assistant on the ALAT App), the upgraded ALAT will show how far digital banking has come, and how much further it can go when innovation is intentional.
When ALAT by Wema first launched in 2017, it made history as Africa’s first fully digital bank, changing how millions of people viewed and experienced banking.
With the upgraded version of ALAT, Wema Bank is again reaffirming its position as the most innovative bank in the banking industry.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Congo has appointed Mr Adeboye Ayewamide as its new chief executive, following regulatory approval from the Central Bank of the Congo.
Mr Ayewamide succeeds Mr Arinze Osuachala, who led the bank for eight years.
In a press release, Access Bank said Mr Osuachala’s tenure marked a shift for the institution, transforming it from a small franchise into a profitable and well-capitalised bank. During this period, the bank recorded steady balance sheet growth, strengthened its revenue base, and maintained capital levels above regulatory requirements.
Mr Ayewamide brings over 18 years of banking experience across commercial banking, operations, risk management, customer experience, and technology transformation. He has held several leadership roles within the Access Bank Group, with a track record focused on execution and institutional growth.
He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Wharton, IMD, and Lagos Business School, and holds a Chartered MBA from Bangor University as well as an MBA in Finance from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Under the outgoing leadership, Access Bank Congo expanded its network from 2 to 22 locations nationwide and upgraded its core systems to improve operations and service delivery.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr Aubin N’semy Mabanza, stated, “We are pleased to welcome Mr Adeboye Ayewamide as the new Managing Director of Access Bank DRC SA. His leadership experience, strategic depth and human-centric approach ideally position him to lead the Bank into its next phase of growth.
The Board also expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr Osuachala for his exemplary leadership and the remarkable progress made during his tenure, which has significantly strengthened the Bank’s financial strength and strategic relevance.
Mr Ayewamide expresses enthusiasm, stating, “It is an honour to lead Access Bank RDC SA at this crucial time. I look forward to working closely with our stakeholders to build on the strong foundation already in place, accelerate innovation, deepen financial inclusion, and deliver sustainable value to our customers and communities.”
“Leading Access Bank DRC SA has been a privilege. I am proud of the transformation we have accomplished together and grateful for the commitment of our teams, the support of our regulators and the trust of our customers. I am confident that the Bank will continue to prosper under Mr Ayewamide’s leadership,” Mr Osuachala reflected.
Access Bank RDC SA is entering a new stage of strategic execution and expansion with this leadership change as it aims to become the most reputable African bank in the world.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Sterling Bank has partnered with global cross-border payments infrastructure company, Thunes, to enable easier international money transfers for Nigerians living abroad.
In a statement, Thunes said this alliance ultimately ushers in a new standard for cross-border payments, empowering Nigerians abroad with a quicker and simpler method of sending funds home.
Remittances have become a regular with an estimated 17 million Nigerians living and working abroad allowing billions trickling from diaspora into Nigeria with available data showing that the Nigerian diaspora remitted over $20 billion in 2024, an increase of 9 per cent on 2023.
Thunes and Sterling Bank believe that demand for fast, transparent and dependable financial connections to home has never been greater.
“This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of Thunes and Sterling Bank to financial inclusion, and community empowerment, helping people improve financial oversight while spending more effectively. It also supports Thunes’ mission to onboard the next billion end users in emerging markets into the global economy,” they said in a statement.
By leveraging Thunes’ Direct Global Network, Sterling Bank is rolling out this enhanced capability across multiple European markets, giving customers abroad a more consistent way to support their families and manage finances. Via the partnership, new and existing Sterling Bank account holders can now enjoy seamless, instant payments across borders.
“Together, we’re enabling a new level of convenience, speed, and confidence for customers managing finances across borders,” said Mr Daniel Parreira, Senior Vice President of Sales – Africa at Thunes, adding that, “ This alliance demonstrates our ongoing dedication to making global money movement instant, transparent, and accessible for all.”
On his part, Mr Ayodeji Saba, Head, Switch & Remittances at Sterling Bank, said “With Thunes’ trusted technology, we’re giving our customers a faster, more reliable, and more affordable way to fund their Sterling Bank accounts from their foreign bank accounts. It’s a major step forward in improving the experience for our diaspora community.”
The move is coming three years after Thune’s deal with Access Bank in 2023 to facilitate cross-border payments across its African subsidiaries.
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