Fintech

Financial technology and payments

Femi Otedola buys N20.7 billion more First HoldCo shares, stake hits 26.5%
Fintech

Femi Otedola buys N20.7 billion more First HoldCo shares, stake hits 26.5%

The billionaire chairman acquired 147.74 million shares at N140 each through Calvados Global Services, pushing his ownership to roughly 26.5%.

The DeskAug 18, 2026
Crypto users can now trade on 3 more apps under Nigeria's rules
Fintech

Crypto users can now trade on 3 more apps under Nigeria's rules

Nigeria's SEC cleared Pisi Payments, Blockchain.com's local arm, and Yellow Card to operate under its Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme, bringing total participants to 14.

The DeskAug 16, 2026
Yellow Card shuts retail app, pivots to business stablecoin payments
Fintech

Yellow Card shuts retail app, pivots to business stablecoin payments

Yellow Card closed its consumer crypto exchange across Africa on 1 January 2026 to focus on stablecoin infrastructure for businesses.

Emeka BriggsAug 16, 2026
OPay made $72m profit in 2025 after losing $51m the year before
Fintech

OPay made $72m profit in 2025 after losing $51m the year before

OPay swung from a $50.98m loss to a $72.47m profit in FY2025 as revenue jumped 161% and transaction volume doubled. Here's what the numbers reveal.

Adaeze NwosuAug 16, 2026
Founders can now test crypto and data-driven fintech under new CBN sandbox
Fintech

Founders can now test crypto and data-driven fintech under new CBN sandbox

Nigeria's central bank opened applications for its second regulatory sandbox cohort, adding dedicated tracks for virtual assets and data-enabled services.

The DeskAug 12, 2026
Business owners, not agents: why Moniepoint and OPay aren't fighting the same fight
Fintech

Business owners, not agents: why Moniepoint and OPay aren't fighting the same fight

A viral tweet frames Moniepoint and OPay as rivals, but the best data shows they dominate different layers of Nigeria's POS and banking economy, with clear splits in agent count, market share, and product design.

The DeskAug 10, 2026
Crypto traders will now pay taxes on their gains under new NRS rules
Fintech

Crypto traders will now pay taxes on their gains under new NRS rules

Nigeria’s tax authority has released guidelines taxing crypto sales, swaps, and staking rewards, enforcing a 1% withholding levy and mandatory Tax IDs.

Ifunanya OkoroAug 8, 2026
Nigerians can now earn rewards as OPay opens affiliate applications
Fintech

Nigerians can now earn rewards as OPay opens affiliate applications

OPay has opened applications for an affiliate programme in Nigeria, letting creators, students, and entrepreneurs earn by driving new user signups and activity.

The DeskAug 8, 2026
Lebara customers can now pay for airtime and data through Payaza
Fintech

Lebara customers can now pay for airtime and data through Payaza

Lebara Nigeria has named Payaza Africa as its exclusive payment partner, letting customers buy airtime, data, and subscriptions directly through the telco's new digital platform.

The DeskAug 8, 2026
Nigerians can now bank inside WhatsApp with Xara's AI assistant
Fintech

Nigerians can now bank inside WhatsApp with Xara's AI assistant

Xava Technologies launches Xara, an AI assistant that turns WhatsApp into a personal banker for money transfers, bill payments, and airtime purchases without a separate app download.

Emeka BriggsAug 4, 2026
Fintech
Fintech

Crypto traders will pay ₦10 stamp duty per withdrawal from 2026

New NRS guidelines extend a 1.5% stamp duty to token-to-fiat transactions, enforce platform-level collection, and impose a ₦10 million fine for exchanges that fail to register.

Ifunanya OkoroAug 4, 2026
Crypto exchanges in Nigeria now face a N10 million fine for tax default
Fintech

Crypto exchanges in Nigeria now face a N10 million fine for tax default

New tax guidelines from the Nigeria Revenue Service impose formal duties and stiff penalties on exchanges, P2P platforms, and other virtual asset providers.

Ifunanya OkoroAug 4, 2026
Naira Records Best Performance Against Pound in July
Fintech

Naira Records Best Performance Against Pound in July

The naira posted its best level against the British pound this month, closing at N1,814 in the official market amid continued stability in Nigeria's foreign exchange market.

Gift Oluchi NicholasJul 28, 2026
ALAT Business users gain Duplo tools to automate invoices and payments
Fintech

ALAT Business users gain Duplo tools to automate invoices and payments

Wema Bank has integrated Duplo’s finance software into ALAT for Business, letting Nigerian SMEs handle payments, expenses and compliant e-invoicing inside their banking app.

Emeka BriggsJul 24, 2026
Migrant workers gain faster, cheaper transfers as LemFi adopts stablecoins
Fintech

Migrant workers gain faster, cheaper transfers as LemFi adopts stablecoins

LemFi partners with BVNK to settle remittances on stablecoin rails, cutting costs for its two million users without changing how they send money.

Chisom EzeJul 24, 2026
Nigeria offers ₦200k–₦2M loans to 500,000 young entrepreneurs
Fintech

Nigeria offers ₦200k–₦2M loans to 500,000 young entrepreneurs

The Federal Government launched YOUTHCRED for Entrepreneurs through CREDICORP, giving collateral-free loans to 500,000 young business owners aged 18–35.

Emeka BriggsJul 22, 2026
Paystack Adds PesaLink Transfers to Kenyan Checkout
Fintech

Paystack Adds PesaLink Transfers to Kenyan Checkout

Paystack integrates Kenya’s PesaLink rail into checkout so merchants can accept instant bank transfers from customers alongside existing options.

Emeka BriggsJul 17, 2026
CBN Deploys Real-Time Tracker to Oversee BDC FX Purchases
Fintech

CBN Deploys Real-Time Tracker to Oversee BDC FX Purchases

Nigeria's central bank rolls out the FX BDC Purchase Tracker portal to enforce same-day reporting and tighten oversight of licensed operators re-entering the official foreign exchange market.

Ifunanya OkoroJul 17, 2026
Moniepoint Recruits Rose Muturi to Lead Kenya Operations
Fintech

Moniepoint Recruits Rose Muturi to Lead Kenya Operations

Nigerian fintech Moniepoint brings on former Branch executive Rose Muturi to head its Kenya push ahead of a planned microfinance bank acquisition.

Emeka BriggsJul 15, 2026
Novacrust Launches Platform to Slash Africa Cross-Border Salary Fees
Fintech

Novacrust Launches Platform to Slash Africa Cross-Border Salary Fees

Novacrust enters Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya with USD accounts and virtual cards aimed at remote workers hit by high FX charges.

Emeka BriggsJul 12, 2026