Most users don’t pay attention to what goes on in the backend but for businesses, especially those processing payments at scale, that layer matters. It is what ensures collections are successful, transactions are properly reconciled, and money moves when it should.

In 2025, Monnify processed ₦25 trillion in transactions, about $18 billion, representing a 38 percent increase from 2023.

This growth came during a period when Nigerian businesses were dealing with currency volatility, rising costs, and increasing pressure on infrastructure to perform consistently.

Monnify did not just handle that demand, it grew within it. It became more relied on when reliability mattered most.

Powering Nigeria’s leading platforms

To understand Monnify, it helps to look beneath the surface of the ecosystem in which it operates.

Monnify sits within TeamApt, the technology infrastructure arm of Moniepoint Inc. While Moniepoint MFB is the consumer and business banking face that millions of Nigerians interact with daily, TeamApt is the engine underneath, and Monnify is its payment gateway service built for businesses that need to collect and disburse money at scale.

Its customer base reflects the breadth of Nigeria’s digital economy. On the fintech side, companies like PiggyVest, Cowrywise, Bamboo, Rise, and Nomba are part of the platform’s ecosystem. In commerce and distribution, players such as OmniRetail and Olam also integrate with it, alongside transport companies like GIGM, mobility platforms like MAX, and organisations across education, cooperatives, utilities, and government.

Today, more than 100,000 merchants use Monnify, supported by integrations across 27 Nigerian banks.

Part of what differentiates the platform is its licensing structure. TeamApt holds a switching licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria, while Monnify operates with a Payment Solution Service Provider licence. This allows it to connect directly to key parts of the financial system without relying heavily on intermediaries.

The result is better control over transactions, faster settlements, and stronger success rates.

The early bet that paid off

In 2019, Monnify introduced virtual accounts into Nigeria’s payments ecosystem. At the time, the concept was not widely adopted. Today, it is standard.

Speaking to Techeconomy, Damilare Ogunnaike, vice president, Monnify Payment Gateway, said the virtual accounts allow businesses to assign unique account numbers to customers or transactions, making it easier to track payments automatically without manual reconciliation.

Ogunnaike said:

““For fintechs handling thousands of inflows daily, or cooperatives collecting dues across multiple locations, this removed a major operational burden.

“What now feels like a basic feature required early conviction. Monnify built the infrastructure, demonstrated its value, and adoption followed as more businesses began to prioritise automation and scale.

What drove its ₦25 trillion year

Scale in payments is not only about acquiring customers. It is about retaining them through consistent performance.

For many businesses, reliability is the deciding factor when choosing a payment partner. Transactions need to go through, confirmations need to be immediate, and systems need to hold up during peak periods.

Ogunnaike said that Monnify has focused heavily on this layer.

“Internal testing has recorded settlement times as fast as three seconds on select bank routes. The platform has also invested in handling higher transaction volumes without a drop in success rates during peak cycles such as month-end collections and high-traffic events. These are the moments where payment systems are most likely to fail, and where businesses are most sensitive to performance.

“Pricing has also played a role. For companies processing large volumes of transactions, costs scale quickly. Our pricing structure has made it a commercially viable option for both growing startups and established platforms, reinforcing its position as a long-term partner.

“That combination of consistent performance and cost efficiency is what drives volume at scale, and it is a key reason Monnify was able to process ₦25 trillion in transactions in 2025”, the VP said.

From one-off payments to predictable revenue

In 2025, Monnify expanded into direct debit, moving beyond one-time collections into automated, recurring payments. For businesses such as lenders, utilities, subscription platforms, and educational institutions, this is critical. Predictable collections translate directly into predictable revenue.

The opportunity is still largely untapped. Direct debit currently accounts for just 0.44 percent of Nigeria’s total payment volume and Monnify is positioning itself to change that.

Commenting on the recent partnerships, Ogunnaike said they point to where this could have the most impact. With Baobab Renewable Energy, “it supports collections across distributed clean energy networks operating in multiple states. With Awabah, a platform focused on pension adoption among informal sector workers, Monnify enables automated contributions for users who have historically operated outside formal savings systems”.

These use cases highlight a broader shift from simple transactions to financial infrastructure that supports long-term participation in the economy.

Stepping into the spotlight

For years, Monnify has built its reputation within developer and business circles, powering payments for companies rather than interacting directly with end users. That is beginning to change.

With products like direct debit, the platform is moving closer to the end customer experience. As more businesses adopt automated collections, Monnify’s infrastructure will increasingly shape how individuals pay for services, manage subscriptions, and participate in financial systems without necessarily knowing it.

At the same time, the company is pushing to deepen its reach across industries, with a focus on onboarding more businesses and expanding use cases for its payment rails. The ambition is not just to support transactions, but to become a more embedded layer across how money moves within the economy.

The recent launch of its new website reflects this shift. Clearer positioning, improved documentation, and a more defined product narrative signal a company that is no longer operating only in the background, but is becoming more deliberate about how it is seen and understood.

₦25 trillion in transactions is a milestone built largely behind the scenes. How that scales as Monnify steps into the spotlight is worth looking forward to.

Highlighting its role as the backbone of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial economy with over 6 million active businesses, the company revealed that its microfinance bank has now disbursed over ₦1 trillion in credit to thousands of businesses from provision stores and supermarkets to building materials sellers.

It is worthy to note that on average these businesses experienced growth by more than 36% after accessing credit, signposting its primacy as a transformational growth level and instrument of deepening shared prosperity.

Moniepoint uses alternative data points that include transaction histories, business patterns and payment behaviours in a bid to accommodate what traditional credit scoring misses to drive financial inclusion and access to credit.

The company’s 2025 performance reinforces its role as a critical financial infrastructure which not only supports the Nigerian economy, but also impacts everyday lives, creating immense value.

Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, Moniepoint Inc (formerly known as TeamApt Inc) has established itself as the leading financial platform for Nigeria’s vast network of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), offering an integrated suite of services, including digital payments, business bank accounts, credit, foreign exchange (FX), and management tools.

During the year, as Nigeria’s largest merchant acquirer, now powering 8 out of every 10 in-person payments made across the country, Moniepoint MFB, the banking and payments subsidiary, processed ₦412 trillion in transaction value handling more than 14 billion transactions.

This clearly suggests that Moniepoint is well-positioned to play a greater role in Nigeria’s steady march towards a trillion dollar economy by 2030.

“Our journey has been one of intentional evolution,” said Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO and Founder of Moniepoint Inc. “What started as a passion to solve overlooked problems has evolved into a platform powering the dreams of millions. As 83% of employment in Africa exists in the informal economy, our mission to create financial happiness is an operational mandate that guides our product development, our market expansion, and our capital allocation decisions.”

Beaming with enthusiasm, Eniolorunda continues,

“Yet for all we have accomplished, we approach our second decade with the clarity that our work remains unfinished. As we enter this next chapter, we do so with strengthened conviction in our strategy, deepened partnerships with world-class institutional investors, and an organisation scaled to deliver on Africa’s entrepreneurial potential. The infrastructure we have built over the past decade provides the foundation. The journey is far from over, but our resolve has never been stronger. To our partners, our customers, and our team: thank you for a decade of impact. We are just getting started.”

In 2025, Moniepoint Inc. reached a series of critical inflexion points, highlighted by the successful completion of its Series C funding round, which raised over $200 million in equity financing from leading institutional investors, including Development Partners International, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Visa, the International Finance Corporation, and Verod Capital.

The year also marked the launch of MonieWorld in the United Kingdom, extending Moniepoint’s platform to serve the African diaspora by strengthening key remittance corridors and laying the foundation for the delivery of comprehensive cross-border financial services.

Moniepoint MFB re-launched its savings product in a firm demonstration of the company’s commitment toward its’ oft stated mantra of providing financial happiness.

Data reveals in terms of savings behavioural patterns, the majority of users choose to save on a daily basis, with focus across business operations (24%), rent (16.5%), and education (10%) representing top savings priorities.

The launch of Moniebook and the acquisition of a national Microfinance Bank license for Moniepoint MFB further expand the company’s regulated capabilities and product depth.

TeamApt Ltd, the switching and processing subsidiary of Moniepoint Inc., also achieved major regulatory and operational milestones in 2025 that have solidified its position in the global payments landscape.

After a rigorous certification process, the company successfully secured licenses from Mastercard and Visa to act as a processor and acquirer for these global card schemes.

This strategic move allows TeamApt to support international card payments directly and offer these critical switching services to other businesses across the continent.

Monnify, the web payment gateway processed N25 trillion in the period under review, demonstrating remarkable resilience and industry confidence firmly positioning it for more business-to-business transactions.

Moniepoint’s impact extended beyond banking into critical social interventions even as the company partnered with the Federal Government to support the Rice Intervention Programme, reaching nearly 850,000 beneficiaries, and worked with the Kaduna State Government in grants disbursement to vulnerable citizens.

Through these initiatives, Moniepoint continues to build the infrastructure required to unlock Africa’s entrepreneurial potential, positioning itself as a trusted partner for the delivery of large-scale economic empowerment programmes.

As Moniepoint Inc. enters its second decade, its well chronicled decade-long evolution from a backend technology provider to a household name, directly complements the Nigerian government’s vision of a more inclusive, data-driven, and productive financial landscape.

As the first solution in the country to seamlessly unify payments and bookkeeping in one tool, it is tailored for small to medium-sized businesses as well as multi-location enterprises, Moniebook combines robust software with reliable hardware, helping business owners streamline operations, boost efficiency, and empower business owners with data-driven insights for growth.

Moniebook provides business owners with a powerful suite of tools to manage inventory, track sales, process payments, foster customer relationships, and generate detailed reports from a single platform.

The core value proposition is to simplify complex business operations, reduce inefficiencies, and increase profitability for establishments. From supermarkets and restaurants to pharmacies and boutiques, the system empowers businesses to handle day-to-day tasks effortlessly, whether it’s preventing stockouts, managing staff roles, or tracking product expiry dates.

Speaking on the new product launch, Babatunde Olofin, managing director, Moniepoint MFB, said:

“Our mission has always been to help businesses grow by giving them the tools they need to succeed. This is in strong consonance with our mantra of creating financial happiness even as we consistently power the dreams of the millions of Nigerians who have come to love and trust the brand as an enabler of progress, as businesses or as individuals. Moniebook is engineered to be a growth partner for businesses – a holistic source of truth in the hands of every entrepreneur. By providing full visibility over sales, staff, customers, and inventory in real-time, we are giving business owners the control they need to scale efficiently and securely.”

With over 4,000 businesses onboarded and N19b processed in transaction value during the beta phase of Moniebook, business owners already using the product are singing its praises.

BBQ Chef, a retail entrepreneur, shared:

“I discovered through Moniebook that I had made over ₦2 million in my first month! It tracks my sales, manages inventory, and is so easy for my team to use. Honestly, any business not using Moniebook is missing out.”

Oluwole Adebiyi, Head of Product, Moniebook, added:

“We built Moniebook with the realities of Nigerian business owners in mind which begins with a deep understanding of their everyday challenges. For too long, small and medium-sized business owners have had to juggle multiple, disconnected tools to manage critical operations, from tracking inventory to processing payments and understanding their sales data. This complexity is a direct barrier to growth.

He continues,

“For us, whether you’re running a supermarket, a restaurant, or multiple retail outlets, you shouldn’t have to juggle five different systems. Moniebook gives you everything in one place – fast, secure, and scalable. By simplifying the complexities of running a business, we are freeing up entrepreneurs to do what they do best: serve their customers and grow their enterprises. This is another step in our commitment to fostering a thriving business ecosystem in Nigeria.”

Key features and benefits of the Moniebook platform include:

Inventory Management: Real-time stock monitoring with automated reordering and specialized expiry tracking to minimize waste and prevent stockouts.

Sales Tracking & Reporting: Comprehensive visibility into daily sales performance, customer behaviour, and staff metrics through detailed analytics and reports.

Integrated Payment Processing: Seamless transaction processing through Moniepoint terminals with support for credit sales, split payments, and discounts.

Multi-Location Management: Centralized control and monitoring of inventory, sales, and staff across multiple store locations from a single platform.

Staff & Role Management: Customizable user permissions and role assignments to control system access and streamline operations based on employee responsibilities.

Moniebook is available in two pricing tiers:

• Core (₦6,000/month) for small business operations and Pro (₦8,500/month) for advanced, multi-location enterprises.
• Optional add-ons, including extra registers, branches, and implementation support, make it scalable for growing businesses.

The yet to be released report has received generous support from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, and Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria, SMEDAN.

The findings form part of the second edition of Nigeria’s Informal Economy Report, which Moniepoint is set to officially launch today, Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel.

Nigeria’s informal economy is the backbone of the nation’s livelihood, accounting for over 80% of employment and driving the majority of economic activity. For millions of Nigerians locked out of formal employment structures, this sector is essential in serving as a bulwark against poverty.

According to Moniepoint, the Informal Economy Report is designed to provide evidence-based insights that can guide policymakers, regulators, and financial institutions in shaping interventions that strengthen and formalise informal enterprises.

“The Informal Economy Report is a robust and important study that examines the informal market more closely and curates fresh insights into its realities. We believe its key outputs will serve ecosystem players and government well in policy direction and execution,” said Babatunde Olofin, managing director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, in a statement ahead of the launch.

The event is expected to attract senior government officials, regulators, lawmakers, industry leaders, trade associations, academics, civil society, and development organisations. It will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and presentations of the study’s findings, with participants exploring strategies to create a more inclusive and sustainable economic landscape.

The Informal Economy Report 2025 follows the success of the inaugural edition, which received commendation from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Corporate Affairs Commission, SMEDAN, and leading business associations for providing credible data and actionable recommendations.

This is the viewpoint of stakeholders that gathered for the second edition of Payment Forum Nigeria (PAFON 2.0) held recently in Lagos.

Delivering a keynote address on the theme, “Bridging the Customer Experience Gap for Financial Inclusion Using AI”, Ebehijie Momoh (Mrs.), the managing director and chief executive officer of AfriGoPay Financial Services Limited, said that with 64% of Nigerian adults being financial included the country has made immense progress in that regards.

She said that between 2012 till date, the country has recorded robust regulatory reforms, especially the launch of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) in 2014 making it easier to identify and track customers across different banks.

“This initiative enhanced the credibility of the financial sector and increased confidence in formal banking systems.

The growth in adoption of smartphones has also helped the financial sector to leapfrog financial inclusion. Nigeria has 142.16 mobile internet subscriptions with an average consumption of ~7.04GB / month as of January 2025. If you juxtapose it to the 15.9% decline in shipments of feature phones to 18.8 million units in Africa as at Q1 2024, you will understand that the uptake in smartphones has helped us a great deal.

Mrs. Momoh who spoke through Mr. Munachi Duru, the head of Innovation and Strategic Partnership at AfriGoPay, said the adoption of artificial intelligence banking gave birth to solutions like smile identity, a leading KYC verification provider launches facial recognition capabilities in Nigeria as neobanks and commercial banks are deploying AI-based KYC verification tools, enabling cheaper and efficient customer acquisition and servicing.

In her goodwill message, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, MD/CEO, Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities Limited (SANEF) Limited said that with progress made in accelerating financial inclusion to unbanked and underbanked communities in Nigeria, SANEF has leveraged Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the next step to advancement in financial services in the country.

She noted that as technology evolves rapidly within the financial ecosystem, Financial Inclusion must continue to be at the center of the nation’s progress.

According to her, agent banking has been a game-changer in expanding financial inclusion across Nigeria.

“By deploying agents in underserved areas, we have brought financial services and banking products such as account opening, cash in, cash out, bill payment, transfers and other services closer to the unbanked and underserved,” she said.

Speaking during a panel session, Mr. Ibirogba Oluwagunwa, chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Mobile Money & Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN), spoke of lack of collaboration and slow institutional drive towards AI as key barriers hindering digital inclusion.

He harped on the need for information sharing among fintech operators, and improved free flow of information to consumers. “The human barrier angle needs to be addressed. Fintechs need to be pushed to move forward, AI cannot operate itself.”

In his contribution at PAFON 2.0, Mr. Chika Nwosu, managing director of PalmPay, reiterated the need to reach the consumers with simple format communication and education style.

He said operators should create awareness and design consumer​-centric approach in developing any products. This will not only draw the consumers towards the product, but also generate trust and ease the use of such products.

Focusing on the use of AI to ensure reach, inclusion and security, Azure Application and AI Specialist at Microsoft UK, Olusoji Solomon Adeyemo, spoke on the need for AI and Blockchain in the bid to extend services to rural communities and the unbanked.

According to him, “AI, Blockchain and CBDs are shaping the future of payment, and there is a serious need for education. We need to align with global trends in new tech adoption.”

While noting that AI can ensure reach, Adeyomo said blockchain will also create digital identity that is exclusive and will promote digital financial inclusion.

In her position, Oluwabunmi Ogunyemi, the customer support lead at Moniepoint MFB, proffered physical and digital meet with customers, even in rural areas, as a viable means of inclusivity.

Also speaking, Olusegun Afolabi, co-founder of Face Technologies UK Ltd., called for improved collaborations among stakeholders in the financial sector.

According to him, the fintech companies must also embrace effective identification solutions, focusing on biometrics and card technologies to ensure topnotch security for users.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Mr. Peter Oluka, co-Convener of the Forum, noted that the financial inclusion journey in the country has come to a crucial juncture where over 30 million adults are still financially excluded, many of whom reside in rural areas or belong to vulnerable demographics.

He noted that despite 12% growth in access to formal financial services between 2020 and 2023, as recorded by the EFInA Access to Financial Services Survey 2023, challenges still exist that hinders the unlocking of the potentials of digital payments to drive inclusive growth in Nigeria.

He further posited: “As digital infrastructure grows and fintech innovation accelerates, we must channel these advancements toward building a more inclusive, secure, and trusted financial ecosystem.

This is not just about transactions — it’s about empowerment, opportunity, and economic participation for all.

Nodding in agreement, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-Convener, PAFON, reiterated the need for all stakeholders in the financial payment industry, including regulators, to participate in forums as PAFON, to map out, growth strategies with consumers and other strata of the ecosystem.

He promised to invite security stakeholders, such as the EFCC and others in subsequent editions of the event. This will help give insight into security concerns in deployment of products and services in rural and unbanked communities.

Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON) is a platform dedicated to shaping the future of digital payments and financial services in our country.

By this appointment, Mr. Olujobi is to complement the bank’s visionary commitment to powering financial inclusion and ensuring the creation of a society where everyone experiences financial happiness.

Bayo Olujobi brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in financial management, including financial & regulatory reporting, management accounting, compliance & capital management, and budgeting & strategy formulation as well as strategic leadership to the bank’s executive team.

Buoyed by the recent announcement of a Series C round, where its holding company, Moniepoint Inc successfully raised $110 million led by Development Partners International, with other investors like Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, and Lightrock, Moniepoint MfB is expected to consolidate its leading position as the definitive bank for small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria, as well as their customers and employees.

It will be recalled that in February 2024, Moniepoint MFB and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) joined forces to digitize and formalize operations for over 2 million small and medium businesses across Nigeria in a bid to ensure alignment with regulatory compliance whilst providing SMEs with access to capital that will enable them unlock their potentials, contribute significantly to job creation and drive shared prosperity, and a target to onboard 30 million businesses over the next 5 years. In August 2023, Moniepoint MFB entered the personal banking market and has since experienced 2,000% growth in personal finance customers over the past year.

Bayo Olujobi joins Moniepoint MFB from Stanbic IBTC Bank (a member of Standard Bank Group), where he served as the Chief Financial Officer and also as a Non-Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Capital. With close to twenty years of experience in the financial sector, Bayo, who is a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) has held various senior roles, demonstrating exceptional expertise in finance, business development & strategy and treasury management.

His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving financial performance and operational efficiency at both Stanbic IBTC and Asset and Resource Management Company (ARM) where he previously worked.

The CTP designation is the gold standard for competency in the finance profession and is recognized as the leading credential in corporate treasury worldwide which signposts that the individual can effectively execute critical functions related to corporate liquidity, capital and risk management.

“We are delighted to welcome an accomplished and business savvy professional like Bayo to the Moniepoint family,” said Tosin Eniolorunda, group CEO, Moniepont Inc. “His extensive experience in traditional banking and strategic insight as an innovative thought leader will be invaluable as we continue to grow, innovate and consolidate on our market leadership in the financial services industry. Bayo’s leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our financial operations and support our long-term goals.”

Bayo holds a Master of Business Administration, MBA from the Cranfield School of Management, UK as well as a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Economics from the Lagos State University, where he finished as Best graduating student. Bayo’s financial nous has also been globally acknowledged as the recipient of the Financial Services CFO of the Year (West Africa), and Most Innovative Financial Services CFO (Africa) at the Acquisition International Global CFO Excellence Awards in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to join Moniepoint at this time. The bank has developed an unparalleled customer proposition across the business and personal banking segments and I believe it is on the cutting edge of delivering what the consumer craves – a secure, convenient and easy platform to manage their financial lives – Moniepoint is right at the forefront of this movement,” Bayo Olujobi said.

Moniepoint MFB managing director, Babatunde Olofin added,

“We are pleased to have Bayo join us and contribute to the Bank’s continued success. His solid track record in delivering optimal results & business value in high-growth environments stands him out as well as his remarkable ability to serve as mentor to peers and colleagues. I look forward to working with him and the super talented team at Moniepoint to drive financial growth and deliver value to our stakeholders.”

The world’s leading financial publication confirmed Moniepoint Inc’s accolade in its annual “Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies” survey, released today.

It is the second consecutive year Moniepoint has achieved both the fastest-growing fintech milestone, and, ranked in Africa’s top four fastest-growing companies overall.

The survey was compiled by Statista, a leading research company renowned for its insight into African companies’ actual performance, in a rigorous screening process.

In this survey, companies are ranked based on 2019-2022 data by their absolute growth rate of revenues and their compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

Moniepoint’s growth rates of 7,979% (absolute) and 332% (CAGR) ranked it ahead of hundreds of leading companies from diverse industries such as technology, telecoms, financial services, and healthcare.

Moniepoint Inc has long been one of Africa’s largest business payments platforms, processing over $182 billion for customers in 2023.

It will be recalled that in August 2023, Moniepoint MFB entered the personal banking market offering reliable banking services to millions of individuals across Nigeria.

The holding group also doubled its global headcount, growing to over 1,800 employees by the end of 2023.

This recognition highlights Moniepoint’s success as Africa’s leading fintech, driving financial inclusion by empowering underserved businesses and individuals to access the formal financial system, contributing to a key goal of the Nigerian government.

Commenting on the FT’s ranking, Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said:

“We are thrilled to be recognised by the Financial Times as Africa’s fastest growing fintech for the second consecutive year. Achieving rapid growth and scale is a fantastic achievement; maintaining that year-on-year is even better. The ranking is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire Moniepoint team, and the trust of millions of customers across Africa in the Company. 

“2023 was a pivotal year for Moniepoint. Moniepoint has moved from being an agency-dominated institution to becoming merchant-dominated as we have seen a lot more people embrace more digital payment solutions. It is humbling to see that we have become a household name that people have come to know and trust, the bellwether for reliable transactions every time.   

With our foray into the personal banking market, we have been able to deliver seamless and reliable payment solutions for Nigerians especially those in underserved communities as we continue to supercharge access to financial services and contribute to economic growth and wealth creation.  2024 is set to be even more exciting with continued growth, driving compliance and innovation, as we maintain our leading role within the African fintech sector, driving financial inclusion across Africa.”

According to David Pilling, FT Africa Editor,

“The third year of our now expanded ranking of Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies comes against a background in which many economies are struggling to recover from the Covid pandemic. The FT-Statista list reveals the type of companies that, even in hard times, have managed to grow, often by disrupting markets…This year, our ranking has a wider geographical spread of companies than before. The big newcomer is Morocco, with 12 companies in the top 125 against just three last time. Mauritian-domiciled companies also did well with nine winners, against four in 2022. South Africa had 42 companies in the list, followed by Nigeria’s 25, while Kenya tied third at 12.”

Moniepoint Inc.’s technology powers over five million businesses and their customers, offering all the payment, banking, credit and business management tools they need to succeed.

Establishing itself as a market leader in Nigeria across various segments from commerce to health and hospitality amongst many others, Moniepoint’s transformational and positive strides has earned it local and international plaudits.

In 2023, for the second year running, Moniepoint Inc was named amongst the 100 most promising private fintech companies by CB Insights. Moniepoint MFB received the Rising Star Family Business Award at the Pwc/Businessday Family Business Summit; while bagging the Fintech Company of the Year award at the 16th edition of Leadership Newspapers Conference and Awards.

Industry analysts have averred that as a strongly embedded and systemic institution in the digital payment services segment, with an eye on the future, Moniepoint Inc is poised to continue to deliver innovative solutions that promote inclusivity, drive sustainability and create new vistas in the markets where they operate.

This recognition underscores Moniepoint’s commitment to empowering businesses within the hospitality industry through innovative financial solutions.

As a major artery in Nigeria’s booming hospitality sector, Moniepoint provides a range of digital financial services that streamline financial operations, improve guest experiences with digital payment and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry.

The tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria holds significant economic importance as it contributes in part to the country’s GDP and stimulates economic growth via improved revenue generation, attracting FDIs, job creation, cultural preservation and sustainable development.

It will be recalled that consulting giants, PWC had forecast that Nigeria will experience a robust growth of 12% in Nigeria’s hospitality industry.

Speaking on the rationale for Moniepoint’s award, Chibuikem Diala, executive director, IHTEF, noted that Moniepoint has become a symbol of innovation, dedication and a testament to the resilience, expertise, partnership that is inherent in developing homegrown brands for the good of the hospitality sector in Nigeria.

“Moniepoint has been chosen by industry leaders because of its innovative contributions towards seamless financial transactions in the hospitality industry. It is worthy of note that Moniepoint as a financial technology brand with inventive solutions have helped to revolutionize financial services in hotels, restaurants, lounges, etc, and for small businesses especially those within the hospitality, fast foods, travel and tourism ecosystem in Nigeria who now experience very minimal processor failure disputes, considerably reduced downtime and track-able transactions, thereby providing effective tools to run hospitality businesses with ease, uncommon simplicity, security and profitability,” he said.

Commenting on the award, Babatunde Olofin, Moniepoint MFB’s Managing Director, expressed delight while noting that:

“We are honored to receive this award from HIESA which is an eloquent testimonial to the collaborative work that we do at Moniepoint. We believe that a thriving hospitality industry is essential for Nigeria and we remain committed to fostering a thriving ecosystem through continued innovation. Our customers remain at the centre of our universe and we’ll continue to ensure that we power their dreams in more ways so that they can experience financial happiness.”

The HIESA is a highly respected award program that acknowledges the exceptional efforts of organizations and individuals propelling the hospitality and tourism sector forward.

By recognizing excellence in areas like leadership, innovation, and service quality, HIESA paves the way for a more robust and sustainable industry.

The awards ceremony was organized as part of the 7th edition of International Hospitality Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel on April 25th, 2024.

The IHTEF is a hospitality focused intellectual marketplace, a ‘platform of minds’ that brings together thought leaders, influential government figures, project developers, hotel managers, visionaries, investors, hotel owners, consumers and sustainability enthusiasts.

With the theme, “Emerge Together; Reimagining a Green Hospitality Economy”, the forum examined how hospitality businesses should conduct themselves in the light of the emerging green economy while x-raying the intersections between hospitality circular economy, effective resource maximization, and quality skills and standards needed for a new hospitality economy.

Some of the guests at the ceremony included the Honourable Minister for Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John (Special Guest of Honour), other industry leaders include IHTEF Africa’s conference advisor, Mr Trevor Ward of W Hospitality Group, Turkey, Director Lodging & Development, Marriott West Africa; Mr Adedayo Adesugba, Vice Chair, Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants of Nigeria (ATHCON); Mrs. Oluwasoromidayo George, Director Corporate Affair & Sustainable Business, Nigeria Bottling Company  Mr Ekene Nnabuihe, CEO Boulevard Hotel Group; Dewald Kruger, The Envoy Abuja; Mrs Kehinde Daniel, Kots Catering; Ms Idy Ekwo, Hospitality Connect, Worldwide; Alain Salameh, General Manager, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham; and Toni Cheikwafah of Beer Barn.

In recognition of the bank’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s financial services sector, Moniepoint MFB has received several accolades including the prestigious Rising Star Family Business Award Pwc/Businessday Family Business Summit; Fintech Company of the Year award at the 16th edition of Leadership Newspapers Conference and Awards, the Most Outstanding Microfinance Bank in Consumer Engagement at the Brandcom Awards, NITDA’s Digital Nigeria 2023 winner for the Fintech Category.

Moniepoint Inc was listed for the second year running amongst the 100 most promising private fintech companies by CB Insights and the reputable Financial Times named it Africa’s second fastest-growing company.

Moniepoint Inc also received critical acclaim as the “Most Outstanding Fintech Company in Financial Inclusion at the Brandcom Awards.

Tosin Eniolorunda, Group CEO, Moniepoint Inc,  was named the 2024 Legit Business Leaders Awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s economy.

Moniepoint’s win at the 2024 HIESA signifies its unwavering commitment to playing a vital role in the Nigerian hospitality industry’s success story.

The company looks forward to building on its achievements and amplifying its positive impact in the years to come.

The hallmark of banking is customer satisfaction as such organizations that consistently invent new ways to meet consumer needs, and ensure that they are well catered to are viewed as exemplars.

In a move aimed at enhancing customer satisfaction while providing more outlets for addressing customers’ enquiries and requests, the definitive bank for small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria, as well as their customers and employees, Moniepoint Microfinance Bank has announced the opening of a new office in Lagos.

The new office which is situated on Admiralty Road in the Lekki area of Lagos follows from the relocation of its MFB office from Oyo-Ibadan Rd to Lagos.

The new Moniepoint MFB office offers a full suite of banking services that cater to the essential financial needs of its customers, empowering them to truly live productive lives.

Commenting on the development, Babatunde Olofin, the managing director, Moniepoint MFB, noted that the Bank’s visionary commitment to ensuring the creation of a society where everyone experiences financial happiness and they are sufficiently empowered to bring their dreams to fruition adding that the new branch is in strong alignment with this proposition  which alongside its  other core digital banking channels, plays a key role in how the financial institution serves and provide solutions to customers across the country.

“As we consistently bolster our digital capabilities, we recognize that physical sites remain an important touchpoint for many customers, who relish the trust, inter-personal touch and clarity at face-to-face conversations which our amazing customer service personnel provide. As such, creating connected experiences – physical and digital to provide access to best in class banking services affords us the privilege to deliver customer satisfaction and drive our business growth even as we strive to meet and surpass the expectations of our stakeholders,” he said.

Olofin reiterated that at the heart of Moniepoint’s success are its highly esteemed customers and that judging from feedback, testimonials, as well as the huge adoption of its products and services, the Bank is poised and well positioned to deliver more quality and value-adding banking services.

It will be recalled that Moniepoint MFB recently launched a USSD code,*5573# to offer customers a fast and user-friendly platform for consumers to carry out their banking activities safely and securely.

This is in addition to a partnership that has been forged with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to digitize over 30 million MSMEs in the next 5 years with a view to enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to job creation and national growth.

Moniepoint started with a virtual account service that automated payment or transfer and allowed customers and businesses to make and receive payment seamlessly through transfers.

But speaking during a lead presentation at the inaugural edition of Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON 1.0) held last week at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, Ikenna Ndugbu, chief compliance officer at Moniepoint said for instance, Monnify, its payment platform, offers a wide variety of payment options to businesses.

Represented by Isoken Aigbomian, the Regional Sales Manager, Moniepoint, Ndugbu said: “There is the online payment platform, there’s the in-person payment option, and then there is the cash payment via our agent network, which I think Moniepoint has the largest agent network.

“We have a wide variety of payment options that we offer to businesses today. Today our online payment options cascade to all sectors, from agriculture to savings to investment. We have several businesses that we currently provide online APIs where they can receive car payment transfers, pay for their phone bills; where customers can process transactions seamlessly via different channels.”

Ndugbu further stated that the bank has its disbursement API that allows businesses to carry out bulk transfers to customers in real-time, seamlessly, without any manual verification required.

“These options that we offer businesses stand us out as a force to reckon with in the payment space today. Monnify, our payment gateway, is among the top three payment platforms for businesses today,” he said.

Explaining further what Moniepoint has brought to the payment space, he said, “When in 2019 we were approached by an organisation that we had recorded for a while, they reached out to us and told us in the payment space they were mainly card processors, they were only processing card transactions.

“And in 2019, if everyone is familiar with the payment space, a lot of customers were very jittery about putting their card skills out there. That was truncating the payment experience, reducing the turnaround time for customers to complete their way, take out this blocker, and have the operation.

“So, what we did was we looked inward and popular means of payment in Nigeria transfer. We worked with our engineers and we’re going to build an infrastructure that automates a notification on transfers.”

Ndugbu said that what this meant was that when the customer makes a payment transfer, the business will not need to manually verify the payment before they can give value.

“So, essentially as a business or as a payment processor, Monnify has the flexibility to incorporate the business’s unique use case and fashion out a service or a payment process that would suit that which is key for business operations,” he said.

Moniepoint’s Micro-Finance Bank (MFB) received its license in February 2022 and has helped over 3 million people and businesses with banking, payment processing, access to loans and business management tools.

It is believed that with these solutions, businesses on the Moniepoint platform process about 8 trillion Naira monthly.

Moniepoint MFB operates the largest distribution network for financial services in Nigeria, and over 33 million people use their cards on its POS terminals monthly across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.