Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has matured into a continental powerhouse—producing fintech unicorns, high-impact healthtech, mobility, logistics and edtech champions. Beyond headline valuations, what matters is how these startups create opportunities for everyday Nigerians: new jobs, agent networks, MSME tools, inclusive finance, affordable healthcare, safer mobility, and accessible learning.
Below are 20 Nigerian startups doing exactly that. For each one, you’ll find a quick history, core products, major achievements, and revenue or traction figures where disclosed.
1) Flutterwave
Founded in 2016, Flutterwave builds payments infrastructure that lets businesses accept, send and manage payments across Africa and globally. Products include checkout, virtual accounts, payouts, and enterprise-grade APIs. In February 2022 it raised a $250m Series D at a $3B+ valuation—then Africa’s most valuable startup. The company continues recruiting across Nigeria in 2025 for growth roles—evidence of ongoing scale. Thousands of Nigerian merchants—from SMEs to large enterprises—leverage Flutterwave’s rails to collect money and grow.
2) Paystack (a Stripe company)
Launched in 2015 to make online payments simple for African businesses; acquired by Stripe in 2020/21. Paystack offers payments, subscriptions, invoicing, and developer APIs. Strong share in Nigeria with cross-border reach to Ghana, Kenya and others. Enables thousands of Nigerian creators and SMEs to go online and get paid, unlocking e-commerce jobs and side hustles.
3) Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt)
Began 2015 building bank infrastructure; now a full business and personal banking platform with POS, payments, working capital and tools for MSMEs. Ranked among Africa’s fastest-growing firms; grew revenue from $15m (2020) to $264.5m (2023). In 2024 it raised $110m (with Google participating), crossing unicorn status and processing 800m+ transactions monthly (> $17B value). Millions of agent/merchant POS transactions support micro-retailers nationwide, creating income for agents and staff.
4) Kuda
Nigeria’s first fully digital bank: free accounts, cards, transfers, budgeting and credit. Raised $55m Series B at ~$500m valuation in 2021; grew to 1.4m+ users then, with continued expansion. Low-fee banking reduces barriers for young Nigerians and freelancers; product and ops roles add tech jobs in Lagos.
5) PiggyVest
Started 2016 (as Piggybank.ng) to digitise Nigeria’s kolo/ajo savings culture; today offers automated savings, investments, and dollar products. By mid-2025, PiggyVest says it has ~7m customers and has paid back ₦2.6 trillion to users (H1 2025 update). Financial discipline tools for Gen Z and MSMEs; local hiring plus partner distribution jobs.
6) OPay
Super-app launched 2018–19 with transfers, wallets, bill pay, cards and merchant tools. Market commentary places OPay at 30m+ users and $2B+ monthly volume in Nigeria. A massive agent and merchant network helps MSMEs accept digital payments; customer support and field ops create thousands of local jobs.
7) PalmPay
A Transsion-backed neobank (launched 2019) offering wallet, transfers, bills, savings and merchant services. 35m+ registered users, ~1m SME clients, up to 15m daily transactions, and Financial Times recognition in 2025. Merchant acquisition, POS deployment and customer care jobs; financial access for market traders and kiosks.
8) Paga
Founded 2009 to digitise cash with consumer wallet, agent network, and APIs (Paga Business/Paga Engine). As of 2024 processed 335m+ transactions totaling ₦14T and served 23m users; monthly volumes now crossing ₦1T in 2025. One of Nigeria’s biggest agent employer-networks; supports rural inclusion and diaspora-linked services.
9) Moove
Nigeria-founded (2020) mobility fintech that finances vehicles for ride-hailing/logistics via revenue-based credit scoring. $100m Series B in 2024 at $750m valuation; expansion to 16 markets by end-2025. Financing puts thousands of Nigerian drivers into income-earning vehicles; back-office operations and maintenance ecosystems grow around it.
10) MAX
Began as motorcycle hailing/driver financing; now a leading African EV mobility company offering driver subscriptions, financing, battery-swap and fleet solutions. Launched solar-powered battery-swap stations in 2025. Credit access + EV ownership plans for commercial riders; technical and field roles in charging and service.
11) Helium Health
Started with EMR (HeliumOS), expanded to HeliumDoc (telehealth) and HeliumCredit (financing for providers). $30m Series B (2023) to scale HeliumCredit; loans have supported hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in Nigeria to expand services and jobs. Digitises hospitals and unlocks working capital—leading to better staffing and service delivery.
12) LifeBank
A “marketplace for life-saving supplies”—blood, oxygen, vaccines—delivered to hospitals via bikes, boats, vans and drones; operates 24/7. “55-minute promise” for blood delivery and expansion across multiple African markets. Dispatch riders, logistics coordinators and medical supply chain roles—plus lives saved that keep Nigerians healthy enough to work.
13) uLesson
Launched by Sim Shagaya to deliver curriculum-aligned video lessons and practice for WASSCE/UTME; now a broader K-12 platform used across West Africa. Named one of TIME/Statista’s Top EdTech Rising Stars (2025). Affordable study resources and tutoring gigs for Nigerian educators; content production jobs (script, video, QA).
14) SeamlessHR
Cloud HR/payroll, performance, time & attendance, and HR analytics for African businesses. $9m Series-A extension (2025) from the Gates Foundation and Helios; growing enterprise client base across Africa. Helps Nigerian companies formalise employment, pay on time, and stay compliant—directly improving worker experience.
15) Termii
Communications-platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) offering OTPs, SMS, voice and WhatsApp APIs for authentication and engagement. Ranked #1 in Media & Telecom on FT Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2025; disclosed $3.2m 2024 revenue with 1,000+ customers. Powers secure logins and notifications for hundreds of Nigerian apps—enabling digital jobs across sectors.
16) Remedial Health
B2B platform for pharmacies/PPMVs to procure genuine medicines with inventory tools and buy-now-pay-later financing. $12m Series A (equity + debt) in 2023; named Africa’s fastest-growing healthtech by the FT in 2025. Lowers medicine costs for communities; creates pharmacy tech, warehouse and delivery roles.
17) Bamboo
Investment app enabling Nigerians to buy U.S./Nigerian stocks and ETFs; licensed digital sub-broker by Nigeria’s SEC and (via affiliate) U.S. broker-dealer. First Nigerian fintech reported to secure a U.S. broker-dealer licence, widening access to dollar assets for retail investors. Unlocks investment literacy and dollar wealth tools; sales/support and compliance jobs in Lagos.
18) Cowrywise
Regulated fund/portfolio manager providing automated savings, mutual funds and treasury for individuals and SMEs. One of Nigeria’s earliest licensed wealthtechs; publishes explainers on new Investments & Securities Act 2025, boosting investor education. Onboards first-time investors nationwide; builds finance, product and advisory careers in Nigeria.
19) Autochek Africa
Automotive marketplace and vehicle financing rails connecting buyers, dealers and lenders; now collaborating with government credit schemes. 2025 partnership with CrediCorp to make first-time car ownership more affordable. Dealer sales, inspection, financing and after-sales jobs; mobility for workers = broader economic participation.
20) Shuttlers
Corporate and individual shared-commute platform optimising bus routes; now piloting CNG and electric buses to reduce costs and emissions. 2025 roll-out of CNG buses cut rider costs ~29% and reduced emissions; launched first electric bus with SAGLEV. Safer daily commutes for workers; new green-tech operations, drivers, and fleet-maintenance roles.
Why These 20 Matter
Mass MSME enablement, formalising the economy, human capital development, health access, and green affordable mobility—these companies power real inclusive growth across Nigeria’s digital economy.
