Technology
Top 10 Players in Nigerian Fintech Space
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian financial technology space, like the sky, is wide enough to accommodate many players as the ways of doing financial transactions have been disrupted by digital innovations.
Contrary to what many might believe, the Nigerian government saw the possibility of this and in 2007, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) launched the Payment Systems Vision 2020 (PSV 2020). This singular vision from the apex bank can be viewed as the catalyst that spurred the need for fintech companies to start multiplying over the years.
This CBN’s activity of 2007 can be considered as the birth of another era. The PSV 2020 was the first time the CBN set forward a reasonable policy for a future cashless society.
Prior to this, there were technology companies in existence but then, they were not able to sit at the table with traditional banks, who had the largest share of the buffet. But within the space of 15 years, rapid growth has changed the narrative.
Now, the fintech space in Nigeria is very competitive as there are countless numbers of fintech startups/companies competing for market share. This means even the traditional banks are being forced to innovate to guarantee their survival amidst the spread of fintech startups or digital banks.
As at the past decade, the fintech industry was somewhat a $20 billion market but the estimated size as at now is $128 billion and this is expected to rapidly expand with an annual average of 24 per cent and could top $310 million in 2022.
In Nigeria, there are an estimated 250 fintech companies with their skin in the game, all jousting for offer services from agriculture technology to savings and investments to crowdfunding to mobile payments to cryptocurrencies.
The diversification of these offerings is making it possible to align with places where traditional banks may not be located and are pushing to achieve the CBN’s goal of financial inclusion. The CBN has said that Nigeria will attain 95 per cent financial inclusion by 2024 and one cannot but wonder the role which fintechs will play to ensure this.
Business Post has streamlined the long list of players to 10 game-changers who are driving digital transactions and offering solutions that will not only close the gap in banking but are revolutionising how Nigerians pay for services, save and borrow money, make international payments, and even improve financial relationships among companies and even countries.
Interswitch
Interswitch is one of the early players. It burst into the scene in 2002 and was founded by Mitchell Elegbe as a transaction switching and electronic payments processing company. Today, Interswitch’s technology processes over 500 million transactions a month while its Verve payment card is the largest domestic debit card scheme in the country and has expanded outside of Africa.
Interswitch created the first electronic switch whereby Nigerian financial institutions could communicate and thereby operate ATMs and point of sales operations. The company now provides much of the transaction systems for Nigeria’s online banking system.
In 2019, Interswitch confirmed a $1 billion evaluation after Visa, an American multinational financial services corporation invested $200 million for 20 per cent of its stake.
FlutterWave
As an umbrella fintech, Flutterwave founded by Iyin Aboyeji in 2014, completes payment services from more than 68 online payment gateways in Nigeria. It allows clients to tap into its application programming interface (API) and work with Flutterwave developers to customize payments applications.
The company majorly offers business to business (B2B) payments services for companies operating in Africa to pay other companies on the continent and abroad. Some of its customers include Uber, Booking.com and Jumia.
In 2019, Flutterwave processed 107 million transactions worth $5.4 billion, according to data on its website.
Paga
Founded by Tayo Oviosu and Jay Alabraba, the mobile payment company enables people to digitally send and receive money and creating simple financial access for everyone. In Nigeria, Paga has over 9 million customers and 17,000 agents.
It was initially launched in Nigeria to profit from the buildup of cash money in the financial industry and to execute financial services for all residents in Africa. However, it was one of the early birds to tap into mobile banking with customers able to access it multitudes of service offerings by dialling *242#.
PiggyVest
PiggyVest is an online savings platform that empowers savers to put away funds that they would prefer not to withdraw effectively. Founded by Somto Ifezue, Odunayo Eweniyi, and Joshua Chibueze, the fintech as at 2019 has over one million users and has saved up to $80 million.
PiggyVest doesn’t just allow users to save, it also allows them to invest their money while offering a return within a period. It offers between 10 – 15.5 per cent on savings. Investments can get up to 22 per cent returns in one year.
One key feature that has found home with users is the SafeLock feature which was modelled after treasury bill transactions, where a buyer is paid a fixed percentage of their capital depending on how long you permit the government to hold your money.
Business Post understands that the average amount in a Piggyvest SafeLock is about N500,000 and is typically locked for between 4 and 6 months.
Paystack
Founded by Ezra Olubi and Shola Akinlade, Paystack offers payment solutions to businesses in Nigeria. They are one of the leading online payment gateways in the county. The fintech company, which was founded in 2015, has quickly become one of the favourite payment solutions for tech startups in the country.
Its last round of funding came in August 2018 when they raised $10.2 million in Series A funding led by Stripe and had previously recorded four previous fundings in seeds and non-equity assurance.
eTranzact
Also, one of the early players, it was launched in 2003 as a multi-application, multi-network and multi-channel electronic payment platform that supports every significant network; including AMEX, VISA and MasterCard.
eTranzact is one of the Fintech companies in Nigeria designed as a credible option in contrast to all transaction which is either cash or cheque based. The platform capacity is with the end goal that any arrangement driven by customer payment can be automated on the platform.
eTranzact as a Switch processes payment requests from various channels – Web, ATM, POS, mobile-utilizing automated procedures.
The switching platform validates transaction requests subsequent to running security checks on the payment cards.
Nigerians use it to pay at cinemas, event shows, and for other payments. The company has tech solutions for players in various sectors of the economy including banking, education, the financial market, travel and transportation, telecommunications, and public administrations.
Paylater (Now known as Carbon)
Carbon is a mobile-only digital bank founded by Chijioke and Ngozi Dozie. It provides innovative financial services to the financially underserved. It was formerly known as Paylater. Carbon offers bill payments, fund transfer, and savings products, in addition to loans.
They offer instant loans to Nigerians without collateral. With a very competitive interest rate, they have dominated the fintech sector. The app is used by over 1 million people to secure loans and other financial solutions.
In 2019, they secured $5m debt investment from New York and Nairobi-based debt platform Lendable. Mostly known for giving instant loan, they have since diversified into many areas such as mobile top-ups, investment and digital banking.
Business Post reported earlier this year that as at last year, the fintech had disbursed over 975,000 loans. This boosted its revenue as it recorded over 25,000 loans top-up, bring about a N6.3 billion in revenue.
Remita
Remita made the cut because of its affiliations to small and medium scale enterprises, multinationals, state governments, government agencies, NGOs, schools and educational institutions alongside Individuals to receive and make payments electronically.
Developed by SystemSpecs, Remita processes over two million salaries per month for Nigerian companies. In 2016, Remita processed N1.36 trillion for the Nigerian government when it consolidated all federal ministry and agency accounts under the Treasury Single Account (TSA) scheme.
The company started out as a developer and reseller of human resources and accounting tools. It eventually developed HumanManager, an HR and payroll system for corporate environments. Its payroll system has since expanded to Ghana, Benin Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and South Sudan.
Kuda Bank
Kuda is the first digital-only bank in Nigeria with a standalone license. Unlike others, it is not fintech that has a mobile wallet or a mobile app affiliated with an existing bank, it is a bank on its own.
Based in Lagos and London, following its banking license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), this gives it a status different from other fintech startups.
Part of its offerings includes: checking accounts with no monthly fees, a free debit card, savings and peer-to-peer (P2P) payments options on its platform.
Customers can open an account within five minutes and will get an account number and can request a physical debit card afterwards.
CowryWise
Considered the direct rival of PiggyVest, it was founded by Edward Popoola and Razak Ahmed. The fintech allows users to save for long-term goals including home, vacation, family, emergency, education, business, retirement, among others.
A user can invest in Nigeria’s money market via mutual funds. The platforms list funds like Afrivest Plutus Fund, United Capital Money Market Fund, Meristem Money Market Fund and more. Users can access Dollar mutual funds.
Cowrywise also offers between 10 – 15 per cent on savings while Mutual funds on its platform can get up to 20 per cent per annum.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nine African organisations, including Nigeria, will join 33 others from the USA, Australia, India, the UK and others for the fourth Social Entrepreneur Accelerator cohort of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
The companies from Africa chosen for the 2026 edition of this programme are from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon and Tanzania.
These founders are using cloud and AI technology to solve skills shortages, youth unemployment and food security. Building from the ground up, they are creating African solutions for African challenges.
Nigeria leads the selection with three organisations, namely Sabi Scholar, Kayode Alabi Leadership and Wetech Incorporated.
The chief executive of Sabi Scholar, Mr Divine Iloh, said he is creating an “operating system” for African higher education, enabling any university to launch online degrees in 30 days, a potential game-changer for the continent’s 200M+ youth population.
For Kayode Alabi Leadership, the founder, Hammed Kayode Alabi, is reducing inequalities by empowering underserved young people to lead and innovate through transformative education and technology-driven solutions to solve local challenges and thrive as community changemakers.
As for Wetech Incorporated, established by Gabriella Uwadiegwu, it is building Africa’s largest pipeline of women in technology, from training to mentorship to direct employment pathways.
Kenya follows with two organisations, KuzeKuze and STEM Centre Africa. According to the CTO of KuzeKuze, Enock Sangaka Mong’are, the organisation is building “education passports,” as digital records that follow learners throughout their lives, making personalised education measurable and scalable.
While STEM Centre Africa, a non-profit launched in 2017 by two brothers, Dancun, the CTO and Denish Akoum, the CEO, to promote hands-on STEM education, including coding, robotics and 3D design, reaching over 18,000 + students since inception, with 90 per cent gaining proficiency in Python, Scratch and electronics. Operating two centres in Homa Bay County with 10 organisational partners, SCA aims to reach 100,000 learners by 2030.
The remaining four spots are shared by Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon and Tanzania.
In Ghana, BASICS International, founded by CEO Patricia Wilkins, is breaking cycles of poverty by providing education, certified digital skills training and holistic support to underserved children and youth, equipping them to thrive academically, economically and socially.
For South Africa, FunHouse Digital, founded by Ayabulela Yokwana, is turning gaming lounges into self-sustaining education hubs in rural communities – profits from gaming directly fund free coding and digital literacy programs.
In Cameroon, EduCloud, founded by Rosius Ndimofor Ateh, delivers hands-on Cloud and AI workshops across Africa, bridging the gap between academic theory and industry-ready skills.
From Tanzania is Fiqra Academy, founded by CEO Gerald Revocatus. The firm is creating a direct pipeline from digital skills training to employment for East African youth, with certifications that lead to real careers through their digital learning platform.
In collaboration with Deloitte, the accelerator provides technical training, strategic business planning, and ongoing AWS and Deloitte support to help mission-driven organisations scale.
Since 2023, the programme has supported more than 100 social entrepreneurs across 34 countries, bringing together a global community of social entrepreneurs who are working to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges across education, health and climate resilience.
“Africa’s representation in this cohort reflects what we’re seeing across the continent: a generation of founders who don’t wait for conditions to be perfect. They build anyway.
“Our role is to ensure they have access to the same world-class cloud and AI technology as any startup in Silicon Valley and the support to scale impact across borders,” the General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at AWS, Jyoti Ball, stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have introduced a new regulatory requirement mandating prior approval for significant changes in the ownership structure of telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha and Head of Public Affairs at the Corporate Affairs Commission, Mr Rasheed Mahe.
According to a joint press release issued by the two agencies, the directive, which takes immediate effect, requires all licensed telecom operators seeking to transfer ownership or control of shares amounting to 10 per cent or more of their total share capital to first obtain a Letter of No Objection from the NCC before such transactions can be registered by the CAC.
The statement reads in part, “The directive, which takes immediate effect, requires all licensed communications companies seeking to transfer ownership or control of shares amounting to 10 per cent or more of their total share capital to obtain a Letter of No Objection from the NCC before such transactions can be registered with the CAC.
“The requirement is in line with the provisions of Section 90 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, Regulation 28(2) of the Competition Practices Regulations 2007, and Regulation 42 of the Licensing Regulations 2019, which empower the NCC to monitor transactions involving licensees and ensure fair competition within the sector.
“Under the new arrangement, the CAC will only process and register requests for changes in shareholding structures of telecommunications companies where the transaction involves 10 per cent or more of the company’s shares and is accompanied by evidence of prior approval from the NCC.
“According to the two regulatory agencies, the measure is aimed at strengthening oversight of significant ownership changes, preventing anti-competitive practices, and preserving a fair and competitive communications market. It is also expected to enhance transparency, boost investor confidence, provide greater regulatory certainty, and support the long-term stability and sustainability of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
The NCC and CAC reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a transparent, stable, and investor-friendly business environment. Both agencies pledged continued collaboration to promote fair market practices, strengthen regulatory compliance, and ensure the orderly development of Nigeria’s communications sector.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The relevant stakeholders have been urged to take urgent action to curb the rising sophistication of cyber threats, which could undermine business sustainability and profitability.
This call was made by the Information Security Society of Africa – Nigeria (ISSAN) during its monthly meeting held in collaboration with MAXUT Consulting.
The group noted that identity theft, mobile fraud, ransomware, and social engineering attacks are threats to organisations, especially those who may struggle to protect information assets, maintain operational resilience, and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
The president of ISSAN, Mr David Isiavwe, who doubles as the Executive Director for Risk Management at Nova Bank, stressed that cybercriminals are deploying increasingly sophisticated attack methods targeting individuals, businesses, critical national infrastructure, and strategic assets.
Among the threats highlighted were identity theft, Business Email Compromise (BEC), phishing, ransomware, WhatsApp account hijacking, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, payment card fraud, cryptocurrency-related attacks, and other forms of social engineering.
According to him, the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks mean cybersecurity can no longer be viewed solely as an IT issue but as a critical business and national security priority.
To address these challenges, he urged organisations to adopt proactive risk management practices, implement continuous monitoring systems, promptly address vulnerabilities, and invest in regular cybersecurity awareness programmes for employees and customers.
Also, the importance of leveraging emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and automation to enhance threat detection and response capabilities was emphasised.
“No organisation can successfully confront today’s cyber threats in isolation. Information sharing, collaboration, and collective vigilance remain essential to protecting our digital ecosystem and safeguarding public trust,” the ISSAN leader said at the event, which featured a technical presentation titled, Confronting the New Mobile Threat Landscape: Beyond User Authentication.
ISSAN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cybersecurity awareness, capacity building, information sharing, and industry collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s cyber resilience and support a secure digital economy.
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