Slimepay Simplifies Cross-Border Payments for Nigerians
For Nigerian freelancers, remote workers, and SMEs, one of the hardest parts of earning globally is actually getting paid. Delayed transfers, broken cross-border systems, and endless waiting times have become part of the struggle. However, one startup, Slimepay, is on a mission to change that.
Founded in 2024 by Lamine-Cisse Ekezie, and officially launched as a web app in June 2025, Slimepay promises to make international payments as simple as texting a friend. The idea came from Ekezie’s own frustration with money movement. Having worked in traditional banking, dabbled as a peer-to-peer merchant, and seen first-hand how the system fails Nigerian freelancers, he decided to build something better. “Slimepay was born to solve the broken system of cross-border payments, slow transfers, long settlement times, and unnecessary complexity,” he says. “We want to make it effortless, like sending a text message.”
At its core, Slimepay helps anyone receive international payments from PayPal, crypto, or other digital assets directly in naira. Users sign up, complete KYC, and begin receiving funds, which are automatically converted and transferred into their bank accounts. The company emphasizes that it does not hold user funds; instead, payments are routed instantly, usually showing up in less than five minutes.
Slimepay’s edge lies in speed, flexibility, and compliance. Unlike other platforms that often take several days or only work with stablecoins, Slimepay integrates multiple blockchains, enabling users to convert a wide range of crypto assets. It is also built for both individuals and businesses: freelancers and creators can get paid seamlessly, while companies can plug in Slimepay’s API to collect international payments without hassle. Importantly, every user must pass due diligence checks through a partnered KYC provider, giving the platform a compliance-first foundation.
Since its launch, Slimepay has processed more than $350,000 in transactions, with over 200+ active users across freelancers, remote workers, SMEs, and creators. The platform charges no upfront fees; instead, it earns revenue through FX spreads, transaction rates, and API integrations for users, which translates to competitive exchange rates without hidden costs.
The challenge, however, has been regulation and bootstrapping. Nigeria’s shifting FX policies and new financial laws make it tough for payment startups to operate without constant adjustments. Ekezie admits product validation and managing a remote team have also been hurdles, but he insists the vision keeps them going. “User choices change daily,” he explains, “but we’ll keep building until Slimepay becomes the default way to receive payments globally.”
The opportunity is massive. Nigeria alone processes an estimated $100 billion annually in cross-border payments, and Slimepay hopes to capture at least 10% of that market. Over the next two years, the team is targeting 10,000 users, with 1,000 recurring customers and deeper partnerships with fintechs and Web3 communities. Expansion will begin locally, starting with Rivers State, before scaling nationwide and eventually across borders.
Whether it ends in IPO, acquisition, or independence, Ekezie’s long-term dream is clear: to make money movement borderless. If Slimepay succeeds, freelancers and businesses in Nigeria might finally have a reliable way to get paid without stress, proving that one day, receiving money from anywhere in the world really can be as easy as sending a text.