The companies, which are Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta and Termii, were picked from nearly 2,600 applications, joining 11 other African startups to form a final cohort of 15 startups drawn from across Africa.

Their selection gives Nigeria the largest share of startups in the new cohort and underlines the country’s strong presence in Africa’s dynamic technology sector.

Each of the four companies is building products to solve financial and business challenges.

1. Bani provides cross-border payments infrastructure for African businesses trading internationally. The company aims to reduce delays in settlements between markets.

2. MasteryHive AI focuses on automating transaction reconciliation, fraud checks and anti-money laundering monitoring for financial institutions.

3. Regxta uses alternative data to score credit applicants and combines this with a digital agent network to offer services to small businesses that often struggle to access finance.

4. Termii builds communications systems used by banks and fintech firms for alerts, login codes and payment notifications.

Other startups in Google Accelerator Africa cohort 10, spanning fintech, agritech, health tech, mobility and software services, with artificial intelligence being the core of most of their products, include Anda Africa, Coamana, Duck, Emaisha Pay, Loop, Maad, Meditect, ReportsAI, Safiri, Vambo AI and VunaPay.

Gbolade Emmanuel, CEO of Termii said: “At Termii, we’re building AI-powered infrastructure that ensures financial transactions don’t fail, from login PINs to payment OTPs and fraud alerts.

“The Google Startup Accelerator is helping us accelerate our AI roadmap and scale globally, and even in the first week, access to technical support and insights has been incredibly valuable for our next phase of growth.”

The programme began on April 13 and will run until June 19, 2026. It combines virtual and physical sessions, with founders receiving mentoring, technical training and support from industry experts.

Folarin Aiyegbusi, head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome these exceptional founders into Class 10. African startups are driving essential economic growth and social development.

“Our role is to serve as a supportive partner, providing these developers and founders with the technical infrastructure, mentorship, and global network they need to scale their solutions and amplify their real-world impact.”

Google said the accelerator, launched in 2018, has now supported 106 startups from 17 African countries. Those companies have raised more than $263 million and created over 2,800 jobs.

The African startup sector also showed resilience last year, attracting $3.9 billion in funding as founders continued to build businesses in finance, agriculture, healthcare, transport and software services.

At the same time, households and businesses are still searching for reliable technicians, and we’re seeing calls, referrals, and a lack of assurance.

In this interview, Ikechi Adolphus, CEO of Fixr speaks about the gap he and his co-founder, Olamide Akingbe, set out to close, explaining how a largely informal system left both customers and technicians exposed, and why trust became the centre of their model. 

Pointing to a shift already underway, unreliable power supply and high prices, more Nigerians are turning to solar, and that demand is feeding directly into their growth.

Fixr says it processed over ₦3 billion in transactions in the past year and helped customers secure more than ₦1 billion in financing for solar systems. This has changed how people find and pay for engineering services.

In this discussion, we focus on what is broken in the system, what it takes to build structure in a fragmented market, and why the company believes Nigerian technicians can compete far beyond the country’s borders.

TE: What gap in the engineering services market first made you think there was room for a platform like Fixr?

Ikechi Adolphus (IA): In many ways, we built Fixr for ourselves. Like many Nigerians, we have witnessed the difficulties that come with trying to hire a technician in Nigeria. But we also looked at where the market was going. Today, it’s a bit tougher to get skilled technicians for jobs in Nigeria. 

Beyond Nigeria, the demand for blue-collar workers is also growing in most countries in the West. Here in Nigeria, there’s a large, young populace in need of work and we believe that not only can we help to fix the quality issue that comes with hiring technicians, but we can also help to provide jobs both in Nigeria and outside the continent.

TE: Before Fixr, how were most households and businesses in Nigeria finding and hiring engineers, and what problems did that system create?

IA: Finding and hiring engineers before Fixr has mostly been through referrals and personal networks. You move into a new location, and you ask people who already live there for recommendations, or you ask friends and family for recommendations. Considering that the industry is mostly informal, there is a lack of proper vetting of both the skills and work ethics of the engineer. 

As a result, the person paying for the services is left to vet and filter the bad from the good technicians, which is not efficient. Sometimes, you find someone who is a great fit, and other times, you don’t. Technicians are also limited by geography and their marketing skills, which could cause them to use substandard and low-quality materials in some cases in order to maximise earnings from each gig. 

There is also no structured personal development plan for these technicians, making growth difficult and near impossible.

TE: Fixr processed over ₦3 billion in GMV in the past year. What do you think is driving that level of demand?

IA: Market reorientation generally and trust. Solar and renewable energy were big drivers for the sales, and that is because customers are moving from complete dependence on the grid to a more sustainable and predictable source of electricity (solar). Even though it’s expensive, Fixr, through its partners, is making it affordable to access and acquire. 

This market reorientation makes it easy to close customers and drive growth. Given our standard, we have many customers trusting us for their other appliances and engineering needs, particularly in the HVAC category, surveillance and CCTV, fibre optics and home automation.

TE: Trust is a major concern when people hire technicians. How does Fixr ensure customers feel confident about the people coming into their homes or workplaces?

IA: Effective communication. People don’t really trust technicians; they trust us, Fixr. That is because, from when we establish communication to getting the job done, we maintain effective communication. We do this to ensure they trust that we will get the best technicians. They trust that we’ve done due diligence on the technicians; they trust our technicians are well-behaved and well-mannered. 

When there are delays or unexpected challenges, we communicate to the client. We also back that up with the Fixr trust and warranty to ensure customers are indemnified for any issues that come up. Customers know our technicians won’t fix their appliance with substandard materials or damage it further.

TE: You’ve helped customers access more than ₦1 billion in financing to switch to solar. What does that say about how quickly demand for alternative energy is growing?

IA: Over the past two years in Nigeria, the cost of grid electricity has risen sharply, alongside fuel and diesel prices. Despite these increases, power supply has not become more reliable, forcing individuals and businesses to seek alternatives.

For businesses in particular, where energy is a major cost centre, reducing that expense becomes critical.

Renewable energy is emerging as a credible option, not necessarily because it is cheaper upfront, but because it offers predictability. In an environment defined by uncertainty, that predictability is highly valuable.

TE: You’re expanding into other African markets. What differences have you noticed so far in how engineering services operate across the continent?

IA: Other African markets still suffer from the same inefficiency, and so the problems are identical. The difference is the purchasing power. In other markets, customers can pay 30% or 40% more than in the Nigerian market. Given that the skill set is the same and the opportunities are relatively similar, and given the cost of execution and potential opportunity, it makes sense to enter these other markets. 

The Nigerian market gives us the opportunity to iterate and build scalable solutions with minimal overhead cost. Applying the solutions to other markets gives us the opportunity to reduce our operational risk by diversifying revenue sources.

TE: Building reliable service infrastructure across several sectors isn’t simple. What has been the hardest part of scaling Fixr?

IA: The reality is that you have to build almost everything you need yourself or find a way to adapt what exists to fit your goals. The supporting infrastructure simply isn’t there. Markets, for instance, are largely driven by individuals and small businesses, while the manufacturing of key components often happens outside those markets. 

Technical skills development is mostly handled by government institutions that tend to be inefficient, and the responsibility for training frequently falls on individuals who may not have the capacity to do it effectively.

As a result, there’s no cohesive ecosystem, no network of builders, specialists, and institutions working toward shared goals in a way that compounds value and strengthens the market.

TE: You’ve said the long-term goal is to compete globally. What would a globally competitive engineering services platform built from Africa look like in practice?

IA: In a world where electrical technicians are as exceptional as LeBron James, Fixr becomes the NBA – the platform that unlocks their full potential. We want to enable technicians to work from anywhere in the world, with clear pathways for where and how they can operate, the skills they need, and the standards they must meet. 

Equipped with the right tools, training, and mindset, they are no longer limited by geography, access, or gaps in knowledge but empowered to perform at the highest level wherever they are.

The team received ₦2 million for their innovative solution, designed under this year’s theme: “From Data to Prevention: AI as Your Health Partner.”

The hackathon, now in its fourth edition, saw participation from Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech), Pan-Atlantic University, and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The top 10 teams presented their solutions to a panel of judges, with awards distributed across the first five places.

Team Mannalon from Pan-Atlantic University took second place with ₦1 million, while Team Nibbles from LASUSTECH came third, receiving ₦500,000.

Fourth and fifth place winners were awarded ₦400,000 each, courtesy of Cavista Holdings Chairman, Niyi John Olajide.

In her opening remarks, Oyebola Morakinyo, general manager of Cavista Technologies, encouraged participants to push boundaries.

She said, “With technology evolving almost at the speed of light, hackathons remind us why pushing boundaries matters. We are not here just to host a competition, but to create a space for the visionaries who will define tomorrow.”

Morakinyo also reiterated Cavista’s focus on nurturing talent. “We always want to hire the best and the brightest. We want to ensure that talent is available here at Cavista Tech, talent that embodies our innovative corporate values and has the confidence to take on challenges anywhere in the industry.”

Delivering her message via the event’s jumbo screen, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, commended Cavista Technologies for enabling innovation and youth-led problem solving.

She said the hackathon empowers young Nigerians to transform their skills into solutions that drive economic growth and strengthen the nation’s creative ecosystem.

Participants tackled real-life issues through AI-powered preventive health solutions. Several teams developed apps, tools, and platforms aimed at monitoring health and predicting potential risks.

Beyond prizes, participants benefited from mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to the technology ecosystem. Special category awards were sponsored by event partners, including Fearless Energy Drink, Mouka Foam, Rite Foods, and Rack Centre.

The event stressed Cavista Technologies’ goal of cultivating the next generation of tech talent in Nigeria and providing pathways for innovation and career growth.

During a post-event interview, Oyebola Morakinyo spoke on the role of hackathons in skill development.

She said AI does not replace engineers but “multiplies the skill sets of human beings,” helping them remain relevant.

On retaining talent in Nigeria, she added, “One of the first things we are doing is we are giving them a voice. We’re engaging them, we’re making them relevant, we’re building their confidence, and we’re telling them that your knowledge, your skill set, is valid, not just locally, but on the world stage.”

Morakinyo also stressed the importance of innovation as a mindset rather than a department. “Innovation is how we operate every day, it’s how we deliver all our work,” she said. “We are preparing talents that are well-equipped, ready to enter the workforce with a problem-solving mindset and an ownership mindset.”

The 4th hackathon aligns with Cavista Technologies’ long-term strategy of investing in youth and technology.

With engineers and specialists across multiple continents, the company is providing state-of-the-art solutions while cultivating local talent in Nigeria’s tech sector.

Local AI refers to artificial intelligence that runs directly on devices, like phones, speakers, or cameras, without sending data to distant servers. This approach makes devices faster, more independent, and self-contained.

Local AI uses built-in chips designed for AI tasks (like neural processing units in modern smartphones or dedicated hardware in cameras) to process data directly on the device.

Cloud AI, in contrast, sends inputs, such as voice commands or camera feeds, to remote servers for processing, relying heavily on internet connectivity.

For Nigerian users, this distinction matters. High data costs, frequent internet outages, inconsistent electricity, and growing privacy concerns mean families are increasingly seeking solutions that work reliably offline.

Why Local AI Works Better in Nigeria’s Homes

Smart devices, from voice assistants to security cameras, are becoming common in Nigerian homes. Cloud-based models, however, can struggle due to unstable electricity or poor network coverage.

Local AI addresses these issues by keeping processing on the device, delivering faster, cheaper, and more private intelligence where it’s needed most.

Unreliable Internet Makes Local AI More Reliable

In Nigeria, average internet speeds are below global standards, and broadband coverage is still limited despite surpassing 50% penetration. Relying solely on cloud AI can be frustrating; a weak connection can render smart devices ineffective when they are needed most.

Local AI avoids this problem by operating independently of cloud servers. For households managing work, school, and daily tasks amid inconsistent networks, this reliability is essential. Voice assistants, for instance, demonstrate how local AI improves everyday interactions.

Voice Assistants: Smarter, Faster, and More Private

Traditionally, voice assistants rely on cloud servers for processing, causing delays during lags. On-device AI changes this by handling commands locally for instant responses. Nigerian users can set reminders or play music without internet interruptions.

This also reduces data usage, easing the burden of plans that often cost over N10,000 per month. Privacy improves too, since conversations remain on the device rather than being sent to distant servers.

There are still challenges, however, such as accurately recognising Nigerian accents or local dialects, and device costs can be high. Still, voice assistants illustrate how local AI can make smart home experiences faster, safer, and more reliable.

Smart Cameras: Real-Time Security

Smart cameras take local AI further by embedding features like facial recognition, motion detection, and object identification directly into devices. This allows them to identify familiar faces or unusual activity instantly, without cloud delays.

In Nigerian homes, where security is a major concern, this speed matters. Real-time alerts work even with unstable internet, and footage remains private, reducing exposure to cyber risks. Brands like Aqara, along with local vendors, now offer weather-resistant models with AI-powered notifications tailored for Nigerian environments.

Power, Data, and Costs

Electricity shortages and expensive mobile data shape how Nigerians use technology. Local AI reduces dependence on always-on internet, saving data and power. Devices that process tasks offline avoid repeated cloud requests, which drain both battery and wallet.

Local AI can be more energy-efficient than cloud alternatives, a key advantage in homes with solar systems or generators. High upfront costs remain a barrier, but affordability will drive adoption more than fancy features, as families consider long-term savings and convenience.

Privacy and Trust

Rising concerns over surveillance and data breaches make local AI appealing. Families can trust that photos, videos, and conversations stay on their devices. In Nigeria, where privacy is culturally significant, offline AI aligns with local expectations of home security and personal control.

Limitations

Despite its advantages, local AI faces challenges in Nigeria. Premium devices are often expensive and harder to find locally, while imported models increase costs. Voice recognition may struggle with Nigerian accents, software updates can be tricky without a stable internet, and reliance on global supply chains can slow adoption. These factors highlight the need for tailored solutions for Nigerian users.

Conclusion

Expect growth in smart cameras and voice assistants as more affordable options reach the market. Integration with solar systems, smart meters, and local security setups could transform energy-deficient homes.

Nigerian startups like Awarri with N-ATLAS for multilingual AI models (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba) and Ubenwa for health diagnostics are already adapting local AI to core local needs.

Local AI addresses key challenges in Nigeria, from data costs and network issues to power supply problems, making it a better fit for homes than cloud-only alternatives.

Its promise lies in speed, reliability, privacy, and adaptability, qualities that Nigerian families are beginning to prioritise.

[Featured Photo Credit]

The focus should be on leveraging local insights to solve structural problems, integrating AI thoughtfully, strengthening cybersecurity, and staying aligned with regulations to build trust.

In 2025, Nigerian startups raised $343 million, down 17% from 2024 due to economic uncertainty and currency volatility.

Despite this decline, projections indicate the digital economy could reach $18.3 billion by 2026, fueled by fintech and AI adoption.

Industry forecasts estimate Nigeria’s digital economy will nearly double, from $9.97 billion in 2021 to $18.3 billion by 2026, as AI, cloud services, fintech, and nationwide connectivity mature.

For founders, the focus must move from speculative growth to targeted innovation.

Here are four key tactics grounded in recent trends:

1. Integrate AI for Operational Efficiency

Startups should embed AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini AI, and GitHub Copilot to improve productivity.

In 2025, AI-driven lending platforms boosted output amid a 70% surge in the fintech sector despite economic challenges. In 2026, using AI for data analytics will become even more critical.

2. Invest in Talent Upskilling

Regularly training staff in emerging technologies is essential. With the ecosystem growing 5.4% in 2025, skill gaps in AI and data privacy must be addressed.

Early 2026 Google search data shows a rising interest in self-improvement and tech training among Nigerian professionals.

3. Prioritise Sustainable and ESG Practices

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies measure sustainability, ethical impact, and risk management beyond profits. Startups should reduce environmental footprints, drive strong employee and community relations, and maintain transparent governance.

The 2026 Africa Shared Value & ESG Summit in Lagos highlights the growing importance of eco-friendly business models.

Agritech startups incorporating sustainability, for example, could attract 20% more funding. ESG practices enhance long-term resilience in Nigeria’s volatile market.

4. Foster Strategic Partnerships

Collaboration drives growth, especially in a funding-constrained environment. Lagos, ranked 70th globally for startup activity, shows that partnerships with established firms can scale operations effectively.

In 2024, over 2,000 startups leveraged networks to raise $400 million, demonstrating the power of strategic alliances.

Adopting these tactics will enable Nigerian startups to position themselves for a funding rebound and long-term resilience, focusing on sustainability and efficiency rather than rapid expansion.

In 2016, when Bolt first launched in Nigeria as Taxify, ride-hailing was still a new idea. Even the name sounded different. Back then, the promise was convenience. 

You could book a car from your phone, avoid roadside negotiations, and see who was coming to pick you up. Safety, at the time, largely meant knowing the driver’s name and phone number, and that alone felt revolutionary.

In those early days, ride-hailing platforms were built primarily to move people. If you got from point A to point B without issues, the system had done its job. 

There was little conversation around layered safety tools, real-time monitoring, or incident prevention. Riders relied on intuition, drivers relied on experience, and platforms responded only when something went wrong.

Fast forward to 2026, and the conversation has completely shifted.

Today, Bolt operates in a reality where safety is no longer a single feature, it’s an ecosystem. What started with basic trip visibility has evolved into multiple in-app safety tools designed to prevent incidents, detect risk, and respond in real time. 

Riders and drivers now have access to a range of safety features that work quietly in the background, from trip sharing and emergency assistance to ride monitoring, identity verification, and recording tools that increase accountability on both sides.

This evolution didn’t happen by accident. As ride-hailing became part of everyday life, late-night trips, airport runs, long-distance movement, the risks became clearer, and expectations grew. Moving people was no longer enough. Platforms had to ensure those movements were as safe as possible.

By 2026, safety on ride-hailing platforms looks very different from what it did a decade earlier. Instead of reacting after incidents, systems are designed to detect unusual activity, encourage safer behaviour, and provide faster access to help when it’s needed. 

Drivers are better protected. Riders are more informed. Trust is no longer assumed, it’s built into the experience.

The journey from Taxify in 2016 vs Bolt in 2026 mirrors the growth of ride-hailing itself. What began as a tool for convenience has matured into a service built around responsibility, accountability, and care. The biggest shift isn’t just the number of features, it’s the philosophy behind them.

In 2016, the goal was to get you there. In 2026, the goal is to get you there safely.

And that difference says everything about how far ride-hailing has come.

This was revealed on Monday by Co-founder and Chief Executive Femi Aluko, who described the company’s rise as a clear sign that the on-demand model can succeed at scale in Africa. 

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Chowdeck just hit 2 million users!” He recalled the company’s early days, noting: “It feels like just yesterday that we started with three riders and two restaurant partners. We now have more than 20k riders across 14 cities in Nigeria and Ghana.”

Chowdeck’s recent drive shows how quickly it has moved from a small experiment to a major logistics company. Founded in 2021, the company has expanded into urban markets including Lagos, Abuja, Accra, and Kumasi.

Its network of over 20,000 riders now supports a growing mix of restaurant deliveries, groceries, and everyday essentials.

The latest achievement comes months after Chowdeck secured $9 million in Series A funding, an investment led by Novastar Ventures with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ, and a series of angel investors, including Paystack founders Shola Akinlade and Ezra Olubi. 

The company said the capital would support its expansion plans in both Nigeria and Ghana and speed up its move into quick commerce.

That strategy, built around dark stores and hyperlocal fulfilment hubs, is designed to cut delivery times. Chowdeck sees it as the backbone of a bigger vision to build what Aluko has previously described as “Africa’s number one super app.”

Africa’s food-delivery sector is expanding at double-digit rates each year, driven by smartphone growth, denser cities, and high demand for convenience. 

While larger global companies such as Jumia Food have struggled to maintain profit, Chowdeck’s locally tuned approach has helped it sidestep many of those challenges.

Aluko, in his message, credited users and partners for the company’s rise. “We are incredibly proud of the technology we’ve built and the logistics network we have established. But most importantly, we are proud of our ecosystem: our customers, our riders, and our vendor partners.” 

He added: “I am really grateful to our team, customers, riders and partners for coming on this journey with us. Thank you so much for coming on this journey with us. It’s still Day 1!”

Competition in Africa’s delivery market is far from settled, but Chowdeck is highly focused on enlarging its lead and testing how far its model can stretch across the continent.

Meanwhile, U-Law said it is set to assist startups to tackle this challenge.

Held on Friday, November 28, 2025, the themed forum, “From Local Genius to Global Demand: Powering Startups with Innovation, Funding, and Market Access”, brought founders, investors and operators into one room for an insightful conversation on scaling responsibly. 

More than 60% of Nigerian startups never make it past 10 years, with many failing within just two. Beyond the usual challenges such as funding gaps, capital limitations, and weak market insight, U-Law pointed out one problem almost every founder underestimates: legal compliance.

Startups think first about raising capital, but ignore the “simple agreement between myself and my co-founder” until it becomes a threat. Founders were warned about building products without defining who owns the IP, operating in regulated sectors without licences, or onboarding employees without contracts. 

Some startups have stalled because a CTO resigned, claimed ownership of the product, and refused to sign over rights. One of U-Law’s goals is to prevent situations like this, ensuring that startups scale properly and avoid the mistakes others have made in the past.

That urgency framed the rest of the afternoon.

PANELLISTS BREAK DOWN WHAT REALLY DRIVES SCALE

The discussion featured Subuola Oyeleye (Founder/CEO, Beauty Hut Africa), Victoria Fabunmi (National Coordinator, ONDI), Chidimma Uzoma (Founder, Zayith Food Company), and Folasade Dapo (Head, Legal & Investor Relations, CCA). 

Each shared practical insights about growth, capital, governance and the realities of operating in Nigeria.

Building structure before raising money

Oyeleye, whose company recently turned two, said she planned from day one to build a venture-backed business. That meant installing clarity, not confusion:

“Investors fund clarity and not chaos.”

She recalled being asked for supplier contracts and internal processes by investors, documents many competitors don’t even have. She stressed that founders must think like investors: contracts, compliance, risk management, spend control, clear financials, and documented IP must exist early.

VC is not the only route, founders need blended capital

Dapo dismantled the idea that every founder must chase venture capital.

She explained the different funding paths available, including angels, family offices, grants, foundations, government-backed credit lines, and debt, and urged founders to know their “investor universe”.

“It’s not the only way to fund.”

She emphasised that not all investors fit every business, and founders must learn which ones belong in their “universe”.

Manufacturing founders can raise money too

Uzoma addressed a common misconception: that manufacturing is unattractive to investors. She stressed that the investors exist, founders just don’t look for them.

She urged traditional businesses to adopt a blended funding approach combining grants, equity, and debt. Her company runs all three concurrently.

On Nigeria’s infrastructure failures, she explained that manufacturing cannot rely on erratic power. Her company runs “the hard way”, funding generators to keep cold-chain operations running 24/7. She noted recent policy discussions on industrialisation and said power remains the single biggest limitation.

On logistics, she said partnerships saved them. “We would not invest in an area that somebody is already running as a business and is giving us a great price point.”

Investors look for more than decks

Fabunmi outlined what investors actually review beyond pitch slides and projections. Founders with discipline, accountability, openness and the mindset for scale. She underlined three areas: intentionality, resilience, and mindset.

Fabunmi also said investors increasingly want founders who can build beyond their local markets, founders who understand scale in the context of AfCFTA and global competition.

STRONG FACTS ABOUT GOVERNANCE

The Q&A session pushed further into governance, where many Nigerian startups fail after raising capital.

Dapo said one of the biggest issues investors encounter is poor corporate governance:

“You can have the best business model, but if you back the wrong founders, it doesn’t matter.”

The panellists at the U-Law Black Friday forum noted the basics that must be in place even before investment:

• Company registration
• Correct licences
• Tax registration
• Compliance obligations
• Contracts for employees and suppliers
• Accounting and finance systems
• Bank account separation
• A simple functional board
• Delegation of authority
• Clear mission, vision, and performance tracking

Corporate governance isn’t a waste of time, she stressed; it is what keeps founders accountable and makes businesses investable.

BUILDING TEAMS, LETTING GO AND RETAINING TALENT

Oyeleye tackled the difficulty founders face when releasing control. “Scaling does mean letting go, but letting go means creating structure.”

She said Nigeria’s labour market usually requires hand-holding because skills vary widely, so founders must create clear SOPs and train teams.

On employee turnover, she said culture helped Beauty Hut retain staff. Exit interviews revealed basic issues like long commutes, which brought about new hiring strategies.

Uzoma added that younger employees move faster, but businesses should prepare for that with succession plans. Her approach:

“Every manager has an exec, every exec has an assistant… so that it’s easier for people to live and leave without disrupting the system.”

THE NIGERIAN ADVANTAGE — RESILIENCE

Fabunmi wrapped up with a perspective foreign investors sometimes overlook: Nigerian founders are already hardened by the environment.

“Because we’ve suffered a lot here, it’s easier for you to take more to the market.”

She argued that the challenges in Nigeria sharpen entrepreneurs, making them bolder in other markets.

U-LAW CLOSES WITH TAX REFORM GUIDANCE

The session returned to U-Law, this time focusing on the 2025 tax reform regime. The team explained upcoming changes:

• Nigeria Revenue Service replaces FIRS
• New small-business thresholds
• Changes to company income tax bands
• New 4% development levy replacing several older levies
• Personal income tax rising to 15%
• Capital gains tax tied to income bands
• VAT exemptions for small companies
• Mandatory registration and monthly filings for virtual asset service providers
• New incentives for angel investors and VCs under the Startup Act

U-Law advised SMEs to register early, file required returns, and use available exemptions as the firm introduced its compliance calculator, designed to help startups understand their tax obligations.

THE BIG PICTURE

The U-Law Black Friday forum highlighted that Nigerian founders must build properly if they want to scale, and U-Law intends to be the partner guiding them through compliance, governance, agreements, tax, and structure.

In a country where resilience is high but failure rates are higher, U-Law says start right, structure early, scale without trouble.

• UK-funded Green Business Building (GBB) Accelerator aims to build a new generation of green industries in Nigeria
• GBB Accelerator helps green manufacturing startups unlock growth through tailored, expert led advisory, peer learning and investor access.
• First cohort of six Nigerian startups pitch innovations to investors at event in Lagos

The British High Commission in Nigeria and Manufacturing Africa hosted an Investor Night where six innovative Nigerian startups from the UK funded Green Business Building (GBB) Accelerator Programme pitched their sustainable manufacturing solutions to potential investors following 16 weeks of intensive business development training and mentorship.

The featured green businesses cover a broad range of industries extending from renewable energy, recycling, organic agriculture and electric mobility.

The startups – GreenSpace Recycling, Sirius-X Energy, Auxano Solar, Taeillo, ZOOMe and Veggie Victory presented their business models and opportunities to a room of venture capitalists, impact investors, and ecosystem stakeholders. The pitching session marked a key milestone in their journey, aimed at unlocking funding and strategic partnerships.

Designed in a pitch den format, the evening included presentations from the cohort companies, offering insights into their innovative climate friendly business models and the potential for scaling their ventures to create lasting economic and environmental impact.

The businesses also received real-time feedback from funders including potential offers for funding.

Attendees at the event included Jonny Baxter, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria and other representatives from the High Commission in Nigeria, prominent investors and key stakeholders from the sustainable business ecosystem in Nigeria.

Designed to catalyse investment in Nigeria’s green industrial growth, the accelerator is part of the UK’s and Nigeria’s commitment to growing and scaling small, innovative businesses to deliver growth and create new direct and indirect jobs across green industries in Nigeria.

Simon Field, deputy head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission in Lagos said, 

“Manufacturing is Nigeria’s future, and these businesses show how it can also be greener, more inclusive, and globally competitive. I have nothing but confidence in the programme we’re funding. Every pitch tonight was professional, inspiring, and full of ambition.”

Kemi Onabanjo, Manufacturing Africa Nigeria Country Lead commented thus:

“Tonight was all about celebrating progress and creating profitable connections. We are celebrating the progress these incredible founders have made on their journey with the GBB programme, as well as the impact they are already having.  It was also about creating connections that bridge the gap between innovation and investment, connecting promising ventures with the capital, networks, and partners needed to scale their impact.

The startup founders commended the programme as follows:

Jumoke Dada, CEO, Taeillo said,

“GBB is hands-on, they take the heavy lifting off you and help you execute. We now have real clarity on our next steps and a plan we can run with.”

Adedayo Odunlami, CEO, ZOOMe said,

“The level of diligence and attention to detail from the team was world-class. They’ve helped us evolve, as a business and as founders, and connected us to an incredible network.”

In Lagos alone, where over 14,000 tonnes of waste are produced daily, much of it ends up clogging drains, encouraging floods, and releasing toxic fumes into the air. 

Still, every street corner is filled with piles of trash that never quite disappear.

For Anthony Obiorah, founder of TrashDisappears, this was a systems problem begging for a smarter solution, it wasn’t limited to a civic failure.

His Lagos-to-Abuja moving experience stimulated the idea. “I had lots of trash that I needed to dispose of,” he said. “It occurred to me that if I could sell them, I could actually make something from them. But when I went online to look for recyclers, I couldn’t find any. That was when I realised this wasn’t just an environmental issue, it was a connectivity problem.”

That moment birthed TrashDisappears, a young Nigerian startup building what Obiorah describes as a “smart waste ecosystem”, a platform that connects households, waste collectors, and recyclers through a simple mobile app. 

Using AI, the platform maps collection routes, classifies waste, and matches recyclers with verified waste streams.

It reframes waste not as an eyesore, but as data, information that, if organised, could clean cities, reduce emissions, and create jobs.

Nigeria’s waste value chain is greatly fragmented. Informal collectors, municipal trucks, and recyclers usually operate in isolation, without coordination or reliable data. Obiorah saw this gap early on and decided to take what he calls a “systems-level approach.”

“Yes, it was intentional,” he said when asked about his strategy. “We know the whole system has been fragmented. You just have collectors, you just have recyclers. There is no connectivity. What we are trying to do is create that marketplace that connects all the stakeholders.”

TrashDisappears aims to unify this broken chain, starting from the waste generator, to the collector, to the recycler, and back again to manufacturers who use recycled products. The app will allow users to snap a photo of their waste, and through AI, classify it instantly.

“When you use your phone and take a snapshot, the AI model tells you that this waste is in this category, either plastic, metal, or food waste,” Obiorah explained. “That way, it’s easier for you to know what waste you are sorting.”

Once uploaded, the system routes the request to available collectors, who can then find the most efficient route, optimised by AI to reduce cost, fuel consumption, and emissions.

The Power of Data in Dirty Work

In Nigeria, where many see waste management as a “low-tech” problem, convincing users and investors that data is actually important is no small task. But Obiorah insists it’s non-negotiable.

“If we are truly saying that we want to manage waste, data is key, because there’s nothing you can do effectively without data,” he said.

He believes that by digitising waste flow, TrashDisappears could eventually help cities plan better. “You must have a start point,” he continued. “You want to get a cleaner environment? You must know where it’s at the moment and what you need to achieve by a certain point.”

To build reliable datasets, the team collects and verifies data continuously through its AI module and partner networks. “We know it might not be possible for us to get 100%, but at least we have like 90% on how true our data is,” he said.

This data-centric model, he adds, will be invaluable to municipalities and private operators alike, helping them design smarter waste management strategies, forecast collection patterns, and enforce compliance.

A Platform Built on Partnerships

The startup’s partnerships stretch across the ecosystem, formal and informal. “We are collaborating with the municipal waste authorities,” Obiorah explained. “We are also collaborating with the unconventional collectors, the informal ones. One of the things we’re trying to do is to formalise them, bring them into a more organised sector.”

He adds that recycling firms and households are also part of this network. “We’ve had discussions with all the stakeholders in the value chain, because that’s really where we can achieve our goal.”

While bureaucracy is a challenge, TrashDisappears has found creative ways to operate within and around government frameworks. “We’re already having that conversation with them, and at the moment, they are being receptive,” he said. “But we also know that the informal sector is hugely untapped. That area doesn’t require too much government intervention.”

Not Yet Launched, But Already Moving

Interestingly, TrashDisappears hasn’t launched yet, but its plans are well underway. “We have started sensitisation, and we have developed our prototype,” Obiorah revealed. “We’re currently fundraising and have been invited to pitch at the African Innovation Dance Season Two next month. Based on our plans, we hope to launch by February next year.”

The app’s business model is built to balance commercial sustainability with environmental impact. “Part of our revenue streams is through transaction commissions,” he explained. “We’ll also have a freemium model, corporate partnerships, in-app ads, and a gamification feature where people can play games related to waste.”

There’s even a “share sphere” feature for giving out unused materials, whether freely or for a fee. “Our app opens up different avenues for revenue,” he said.

Beyond Waste: Building City Intelligence

For Obiorah, the ultimate vision for TrashDisappears goes beyond waste disposal. “Yes,” he said, “we see TrashDisappears as a potential data infrastructure provider, not just a waste platform. We want to use data for predictive analysis, to advise both generators and municipalities. We’re not just managing waste, we’re reducing it, creating cleaner cities, and educating people.”

The team plans to launch in Lagos and Abuja first, with expansion plans across Africa. “We definitely will explore carbon credit opportunities and regional expansion,” he said. “Our idea is for TrashDisappears to be a global platform.”

But scaling such innovation in Nigeria demands systemic change. When asked what single government policy he would change to support innovations like his, Obiorah paused briefly before saying: “We need to look at proper enlightenment.”

He believes that without public education and consistent enforcement, even the best technologies will fall short.

At its core, TrashDisappears isn’t only focused on cleaning streets, it’s trying to clean systems. It’s betting that data can make Nigerian cities tidier and smarter.