BizMerchant: Bringing Businesses Into the Future of Payments

On 23 August 2025, entrepreneurs, innovators, and tech enthusiasts gathered for the second edition of BizMerchant, an innovation summit convened by Gabriel Enaanapu. The platform aims to empower businesses through emerging technologies. This year, the bold theme was “Altpayments for Global Commerce.” The event explored how alternative payments and digital assets can transform cross-border trade. It also showed how SMEs and freelancers can gain access to global markets.

Gabriel Enaanapu, the host and convener, explained that BizMerchant was created to connect businesses, freelancers, and innovators to global opportunities through technology. “People need to understand how digital technologies work and how they can improve their lives,” he said. The event reflects his belief that businesses must embrace digital tools, especially alternative payments, to remain competitive.

The theme was not random. Enaanapu noted that money has evolved from barter to cash, electronic cards, and digital currencies. Alternative payments represent the next frontier. They allow businesses to receive payments globally without the delays and high costs of traditional banks.

“The understanding of how to use altpayments will give businesses a greater chance to thrive globally,” he emphasised.

African businesses face a key challenge: access to global markets. BizMerchant set out to address this by promoting collaboration, encouraging cross-border trade, and equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge they need. The event also featured discussions from blockchain, AI, insurance, and finance experts, industries that directly influence how businesses grow and transact.

Speakers and panelists were selected for their expertise in payments, AI, and business development. The sessions included: a cross-border panel on payment challenges, an AI panel exploring the roles of intelligent systems, a wealth and finance panel, and an insurance session that taught entrepreneurs about equity, shares, and protecting business continuity.

Innovations mentioned at the event included:

• SubNano- a platform that pays creators in Nano
• Travala- a travel booking app that accepts cryptocurrencies
• NanoGPT- a tool that allows users to create prompts using Nano.
• XNOPAY- a comprehensive payment ecosystem built around the Nano ecosystem(XNO ), a different currency design for everyday payments

The audience included business owners, freelancers, startups, and digital merchants, anyone making online transactions. Attendees gained new knowledge and opportunities for collaboration. One participant even secured a social media gig during the event. Feedback was highly positive. Many attendees praised the learning sessions, networking opportunities, and exposure to real-world applications of altpayments. Several expressed excitement for future editions

The event sparked broader conversations about alternative payments in Africa and abroad. Enaanapu believes BizMerchant will drive adoption in practical ways: “It will be that community where businesses come to practice what people have been preaching about adoption.”

The next edition is already in the works. It will focus on sales, fundraising, and deal-making. The goal will be for participants to leave with tangible results. 

For Enaanapu, organising BizMerchant was both professional and personal. Despite challenges, including a reschedule, he was proud to see it succeed. “I was able to begin something and fulfil it,” he reflected. The process also improved his leadership and management skills.

At its core, BizMerchant is about shaping the future of global commerce. By equipping entrepreneurs with tools to accept and use digital assets, the event is building a global community of connected merchants.

Enaanapu summarised it simply “BizMerchant is an avenue where businesses can showcase and explore digital payment systems.”

His advice to founders and merchants is clear: “Learn and attend events to understand how the technology works. Explore, buy, and accept cryptocurrencies as a form of payment, it will open doors for you.”