Today, that ambition has been recognised on the global stage, PalmPay has been named one of the Top 300 Fintech Companies in the World by CNBC and Statista, for the second consecutive year.

In a world dominated by fintech giants like Revolut, Ant Group, and Nubank, PalmPay’s inclusion signals a shifting narrative, one where innovation from the Global South is no longer emerging. It’s leading.

PalmPay – Banking that Speaks the Local Language

At the heart of PalmPay’s story is a relentless commitment to making finance work for the people who need it most. In Nigeria, where over a third of the population remains unbanked, PalmPay has built a neobanking platform tailored to everyday realities, low data access, cash-heavy economies, and the need for trust at the grassroots.

With over 35 million registered users, up to 15 million transactions processed daily, and a network of more than 1 million agents and merchant partners, PalmPay’s app is more than just a wallet, it’s a financial lifeline. From sending money to paying bills, accessing credit, buying insurance, or even managing business operations, PalmPay’s platform brings digital inclusion to life, one tap at a time.

Recognition Built on Results

PalmPay’s placement on the CNBC x Statista 2025 list is no stroke of luck. It’s the result of rigorous analysis, assessing innovation, growth, impact, and global footprint.

And it’s yet another feather in the company’s cap: earlier this year, PalmPay ranked #2 overall and #1 in financial services on the Financial Times’ Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies 2025 list.

The message is clear: PalmPay isn’t just keeping pace. It’s setting the pace.

Scaling the Mission Across Borders

This global recognition comes at a time of major expansion for PalmPay. The company recently launched operations in Tanzania and Bangladesh, leveraging a smartphone device financing model as an entry point to digital finance for underserved users. The move reflects PalmPay’s belief that access begins not just with apps, but with the very tools people use to connect.

“To be recognised as one of the world’s top fintech companies by CNBC and Statista is a powerful affirmation of our mission,” said Sofia Zab, founding chief marketing officer at PalmPay. “Through cutting-edge technology, deep local distribution, and a customer-first mindset, we’ve built Nigeria’s leading neobank. As we expand, our focus remains on bridging financial access gaps and growing a partner ecosystem that fuels our impact.”

The Bigger Picture: A Digital Economy That Works for All

Behind the tech and the numbers is a deeper vision, to build infrastructure for a connected, inclusive digital economy in Africa and beyond.

“We’re not just building a fintech app,” added Jiapei Yan, group chief commercial officer at PalmPay. “We’re creating the rails for digital commerce in markets that have been left behind for too long. This recognition is a reminder of the impact we’ve made, and the even bigger opportunity ahead.”

As PalmPay continues to expand its footprint across Africa and Asia, its story stands as a powerful example of what happens when technology meets local insight, backed by purpose and scale.

PalmPay is not just rising with the wave of fintech growth in emerging markets, it’s helping to define it.

This prestigious ranking, developed in collaboration with market research firm Statista, evaluates fintechs globally based on key metrics such as revenue growth, transaction volume, employee strength, and capital raised.

Moniepoint stands alongside 250 trailblazing fintech companies shaping the future of financial services worldwide.

From Nigeria to the World

Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, Moniepoint (formerly TeamApt) has grown into a powerhouse, providing digital banking, payments, credit, and business tools to over 10 million customers.

The company processes over one billion transactions monthly, with volumes exceeding $22 billion, significantly boosting financial inclusion, especially within Africa’s informal economy.

Moniepoint’s recent initiatives, including the launch of MonieWorld, its platform for Africans in the diaspora, have further extended its reach.

Now available in markets like the UK, MonieWorld allows users to send money and access digital financial services with ease, marking the company’s first consumer-facing venture outside Africa.

A Streak of Global Recognition

This CNBC recognition follows a string of high-profile accolades:

• TIME100 Most Influential Companies (2025)
• Financial Times’ Fastest-Growing African Companies (3 consecutive years)
• CB Insights Fintech 100

These milestones reinforce Moniepoint’s commitment to innovation, impact, and inclusion.

“It’s an honour to be listed among the world’s top fintechs,” said Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc. “This recognition affirms our team’s dedication and underscores our growing influence in global fintech. We’re driven by a single mission—to power the dreams of millions of African entrepreneurs and businesses. As we scale, we remain committed to transforming lives through wider access to financial services and economic opportunity.”

The Global Fintech Landscape

Launched in 2023, CNBC’s Top Fintech Companies list is a definitive guide to the world’s most innovative and high-performing fintechs across banking, payments, digital assets, and more.

Moniepoint’s inclusion reflects not just regional success but its emergence as a global leader in tech-driven finance.

View the full list here: CNBC World’s Top Fintech Companies 2025

Moniepoint isn’t just building better financial systems—it’s building better futures.

Nigeria’s PiggyVest, PalmPay and Kuda Bank, alongside South Africa’s MTN MoMo, were among top innovators on the list.

According to the report, global funding has dipped from its 2020-2021 peak, but innovation continues. Artificial intelligence is a key theme, with companies leveraging technology to shape the future of financial services across a wider, more competitive industry.

The report reiterates resilience and innovation within the sector, emphasising the diversity of success in fintech.

Nigerian Innovators

• PiggyVest: Listed in the financial planning category, PiggyVest stands alongside companies like Monarch, MoneySuperMarket, NerdWallet, and Taxfix from the US, UK, and Germany. PiggyVest offers personal finance management tools that enable users to manage budgets, savings, and credit scores effectively.
• Kuda Bank: Featured in the neobanking category, Kuda Bank offers digital-only financial services through mobile and desktop applications, providing a convenient and potentially lower-cost alternative to traditional banks. It shares the spotlight with EQ Bank, Inter&Co, Mercury, Monzo, and others from Canada, the US, UK, and Brazil.
• PalmPay: Recognised in the payments category, PalmPay provides solutions for online purchases, point-of-sale transactions, and digital money transfers.

South African Innovator

• MTN MoMo: Also in the payments category, MTN’s mobile money service, MTN MoMo is facilitating smoother online and in-store transactions and making financial services more accessible. It is listed alongside Mangopay, Mastercard (US), Melio, and Nuvei from Canada, India, and other countries.

The CNBC-Statista list is based on a thorough selection process, evaluating more than 2,000 companies between March and May 2024. Analysts considered both general and segment-specific KPIs (key performance indicators). 

General KPIs accounted for 40% of the weighting, while segment-specific KPIs held a 60% weight, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.