Held on Thursday, November 20, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the event convened government leaders, founders, investors, creators, technologists and policy makers to map out what tomorrow could look like for Ogun’s fast-growing innovation sector. 

The summit, now in its sixth edition, has become the largest annual gathering of youth and digital talent in the state.

A Summit Framed by Urgency and Opportunity

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Naimat Salako-Oyedele, described the digital economy as “the backbone of modern development” She stressed that young people are central to the state’s growth strategy.

She described how Ogun has spent the past few years laying the foundations for a thriving technology ecosystem: “We have been intentional here in Ogun state about creating the right environment for technology to flourish.” 

She pointed out the transformation of the Ogun Tech Hub; partnerships with innovation clusters; and new international collaborations, including the Window America initiative, which provides workshops and learning opportunities for young people.

The Deputy Governor also announced the newly commissioned NCC Koba Centre, already training youths in AI engineering, cloud computing and data technologies. According to her, its location in Ogun is “not accidental… It reflects the confidence that national institutions and private partners have in our talent base.” 

But she also warned, “We must not work in silos. We need more coordination, more shared learning and more deliberate linkages between state programs, federal initiatives, private sector projects, university research and community-based ecosystem.” 

A Federal Perspective: Nigeria Must Create, Not Just Consume

Representing the Presidency, Tobi Matthew, director of the PBAT Media Centre, gave a statement reinforcing the federal government’s position on digital acceleration growth.

He noted, “Nigeria must not only consume technology, we must create it and also export it.” 

He outlined three pillars of a functional digital ecosystem, policy, governance and partnership, and emphasised the administration’s focus on reforms that ease doing tech business, expand broadband access and strengthen global partnerships.

According to him, summits like Ogun’s bridge government and the tech community by helping “co-create policies that work in the real world.” 

Legislative Power Meets Tech Vision

The summit received a strong policy perspective from Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, who announced that the long-awaited National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill would soon be signed into law.

The bill, he explained, will compel ministries and agencies to digitise operations: “They are all compared, not as a matter of option. They are compared to digital patients.” 

He described how digital signatures and electronic documents would gain full legal recognition, removing long-standing limitations for startups and online businesses. The Senator called the summit “the largest gathering of youth in Ogun state… gathered for empowerment that truly empowers.” 

Founders and Innovators Urged to Build for Ogun, Not Just From It

Summit Convener Victor Adeleye returned to a central problem; retention. Although many celebrated Nigerian startups originated from Ogun institutions, most relocate to Lagos. He challenged young innovators to stay and build where they were trained.

“The tech skill is not the destination, it’s just the beginning.” 

He added that more than 7,500 talents have been supported since 2020, and that the state is now spotlighting revenue-generating startups built locally.

PaidHR’s Seye Bandele Urges Founders to Build for Africa’s Realities, Not Imported Playbooks

Seye Bandele, co-founder & CEO of PaidHR, told young founders that Africa is in its own “printing-press moment”, a turning point impacted by AI, rapid information flow and a high youth population.

He drew parallels between Gutenberg’s invention and today’s technology wave, stressing that the tools being built now will affect the next 100 years of African innovation.

Seye warned that founders must build with Africa’s realities in mind; weak infrastructure, low internet access and high volatility, not imported frameworks. He urged them to design products that work offline, handle currency swings, embed trust from day one and collect data intentionally.

He also emphasised that Africa’s population surge makes the continent the world’s next major market, and those building today must think in decades, not sprints. For him, progress comes from solving real problems and adapting global ideas to local context.

“You may not see the full impact, but what you build today is what the next generation will inherit.”

Microsoft’s Damila Rashu, lead for AI and Cloud, reiterated the global relevance of Ogun’s emerging talent pool and encouraged founders to join Microsoft’s startup programmes.

“Hopefully, in a few months, a few years down the line, we will have our own global unicorns right here in Ogun state.” 

Earlier, Bola Akindele, group managing director of Courteville Business Solutions Plc, recalled the evolution of his own company and the importance of domain understanding, using examples from his early academic journey.

Messan to Founders: “Traction Is Your Number One De-Risker”

David Lanre Messan, chief venture builder at FirstFounders, explained that most struggles with fundraising come from poor positioning, not lack of ideas.

He stressed that “every investor has an investment thesis,” urging founders to first identify whether they are at the idea, product or revenue stage before approaching anyone.

Messan noted that early-stage success depends on validation and real market demand, noting that “you cannot build anything without automatic demand.” He closed with an insight that investors respond to proof, not promises: “traction is your number one de-risker.”

Dr Solomon King: The Power of Diaspora Capital

From the Lagos Angel Network, Dr Solomon King presented a startling economic context: “17 million Nigerians live in the diaspora, and those 17 million people push back home to Nigeria, 20 billion US dollars on average per year.” 

He argued that this flow of capital, coupled with Ogun’s youth base, positions the region for outstanding investment if structures stay consistent.

Community Leadership: Ogun Tech Community’s Stand

President of the Ogun Tech Community, Adekunle Durosinmi, commended the summit for becoming a reference point. “We have seen the ecosystem growing stronger, more connected, more impactful.” 

He urged attendees to “disrupt Google”, amplify Ogun’s tech story online, and enhance collaboration instead of isolation.

Inspirational Close: What Will You Build?

One of the most memorable reflections at Ogun Digital Summit 2025 came from a keynote speaker who linked today’s creators to historical innovators: “Your code, your content, your companies are the real printing presses of this generation.” 

The challenge was, “What infrastructure are you going to build today that the people of tomorrow will inherit from you?” 

PANEL SESSION HIGHLIGHTS

Panel Session 1: The Creative Economy

Key Highlights

• Defined the creative economy as the movement of goods and services within creative industries.
• Identified various creative sectors, including music, storytelling, photography, design, YouTube content, branding, and cinematography.
• Discussed the role of storytelling and its relevance to audience engagement.
• Raised matters about content creators ignoring policy updates that directly benefit them, including tax reforms and IP protection.
• Emphasised that Ogun has the strongest environment for creative-tech talent development.
• Called for more platforms that highlight policies affecting creators.

Fireside Chat: Journey from Zero to 1 Billion

Key Highlights

• Speakers discussed realistic planning for market size and expansion.
• Warned founders against exaggerated market assumptions that harm investor confidence.
• Emphasised calculating total addressable market (TAM) within one’s region before expanding.
• Explained the investment committee process and how risk assessments shape funding decisions.
• Encouraged founders to build strong roadmaps and avoid premature scaling.

Panel Session 2: Policy, Governance and Talent

Key Highlights

• Examined how data governance, digital payments and financial infrastructure affect tech growth.
• Highlighted existing federal and state programmes supporting innovators, including tech hubs and new digital infrastructure.
• Noted the gap between policies and actual adoption by citizens and creators.
• Stressed the need for intentional inclusion of youth-led tech teams in procurement and governance processes.
• Raised issues about low awareness of policy benefits, especially tax reforms.
• Reemphasised the importance of intellectual property protection.
• Asserted that Ogun should become Nigeria’s digital capital due to its youth population and number of tertiary institutions.

Ogun Digital Summit 2025 stressed that Ogun is no longer waiting for inclusion in Nigeria’s digital growth. The state is supplying talent, building institutions, attracting global partners and implementing policy-driven reforms designed to keep innovators rooted at home.

In Nigeria’s digital economy, Ogun State is now one of the country’s strongest engines.

The investment was led by Accion Venture Lab, with strong participation from existing investors Zrosk, Chui Ventures, and Zedcrest Capital.

Founded in 2020 in Nigeria, PaidHR has rapidly expanded to reach Pan-African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tech startups across Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. 

The majority of PaidHR’s users are logistics, retail, and manufacturing businesses with under 200 employees, whose reliance on manual, time-consuming processes has created inefficiencies and compliance challenges. 

PaidHR’s all-in-one platform enables businesses to scale efficiently and improve employee wellbeing by formalizing HR administration, automating both local and cross-border payroll, ensuring full regulatory compliance, and providing tailored financial services to employees.

By 2030, half of all new entrants into the global labor force will come from sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, 44 million SMEs provide an estimated 80% of jobs across the continent; however, these businesses are often informal and unable to provide HR and financial services to their employees. 

In Nigeria, 83% of the workforce lacks access to credit and cannot meet emergency and basic needs.

PaidHR aims to improve financial inclusion and promote economic resilience for Africa’s growing workforce. Through earned wage access (EWA), employees on PaidHR’s platform can access a portion of their salary before payday, helping to reduce reliance on predatory loans and alleviate financial stress. 

PaidHR’s integrated multi-currency wallet allows employees to receive payments and save in both local currency and USD, helping them navigate financial instability.

The platform also leverages payroll data to connect employees to other financial products, such as credit and savings plans, through partnerships with financial service providers.

“We are building HR management for the African context, and this funding allows us to scale our vision, expand our reach, and deliver even more value to our clients,” said Seye Bandele, CEO of PaidHR. 

“With the support of Accion Venture Lab and our returning investors, we are well- positioned to help small businesses grow and scale more effectively across borders.”

Amee Parbhoo, managing partner at Accion Venture Lab, commented: “PaidHR’s integrated platform is tackling deep-rooted structural challenges faced by small businesses and their employees in underserved markets, starting in Nigeria. 

“By combining human resources automation with embedded financial services like earned wage access and USD savings, the platform not only improves how businesses operate, but seeks to deliver meaningful financial inclusion for workers.

“We are proud to support the team as they deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions that help strengthen small businesses and enable employees to take control of their financial lives.”

There have been loads of launches and sky-high valuations, some startups are quietly impacting industries and improving lives. Nigeria and other African nations are innovating commendably, building solutions across the climate, AI, fintech and other sectors.

In 2024 alone, African startups attracted over $2 billion in funding. Although this was lower than the previous year, the continent gained even more global competitiveness and recognition, revealing that Africa is no longer ‘just catching up’.

Startups like Flutterwave, Opay, Moove and others have not stopped keeping us in awe, but there are even more startups emerging to disrupt the problem-solving determination and we must keep an eye on them in 2025.

Here are the top 15 startups to watch in 2025:

1. Moniepoint (Nigeria)

Moniepoint reached unicorn status in 2024 after a $110 million Series C funding round led by Development Partners International, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, and Lightrock. This funding pushed the fintech company’s valuation to over $1 billion.

Moniepoint specialises in banking-as-a-service solutions, providing digital payments, banking, foreign exchange, credit, and business management tools. This integrated platform aims to serve African businesses of all sizes, processing over 800 million transactions monthly valued at over $17 billion, while maintaining profitability.

Tosin Eniolorunda, founder and group CEO, recently reiterated the company’s focus on driving financial inclusion and empowering Africa’s informal economy, which employs 83% of the continent’s workforce. Moniepoint has even been recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s National Inclusive Payment Initiative Award in 2022.

In October 2024, the company’s $110 million funding made up 43% of total African startup investments that month. During a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Vice President Kashim Shettima commended Moniepoint’s contributions to financial inclusion, SME empowerment, and anti-fraud initiatives in collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

Moniepoint’s mission is to create “financial happiness” by expanding its footprint across Africa and offering seamless business solutions to ensure NJ economic growth and stability.

2. Vesti (Nigeria)

Among the top startups to watch in 2025, Vesti is a migration fintech company simplifying the complex processes of migration and cross-border financial services. In 2024, Vesti celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art software engineering office in Lagos, a ₦1 billion investment in Nigeria’s tech sector.

This Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering and Financial Technology is designed to enable collaboration and innovation. The facility included themed meeting rooms, collaborative workspaces, a lounge, cafeteria, swimming pool, and gym, as Vesti’s focused on employee satisfaction and talent development.

Co-founders Olusola and Abimbola Amusan revealed plans to create over 600 engineering jobs in Lagos within two years and 1,500 by 2027. Vesti is also working to connect Africans to global markets.

The company’s platform provides comprehensive legal and financial services for immigrants, including AI-powered support, remittances, and foreign exchange. Following successful expansions to Ghana, Zambia, and the UK, Vesti now plans to enter Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan in 2025.

With cash-positive operations in H1 2024, Vesti is targeting a Series A funding round to further scale its global footprint. The company’s mission is to empower one billion immigrants worldwide.

3. NeuRaL AI (Nigeria)

NeuRaL AI is bolstering artificial intelligence adoption in Nigeria. In 2024, the company launched REACTOR, an AI platform enabling businesses to integrate Generative AI into their operations. 

This solution, priced at ₦99,000 per month, offers end-to-end support, from setup to maintenance and training, for organisations aiming to deploy custom AI models.

NeuRaL AI’s mission aligns with Nigeria’s AI-focused initiatives. The government recently introduced a National AI Strategy, supported by $3.5 million in seed funding, to strengthen the country’s pace in AI innovation. By 2030, Nigeria’s AI market is projected to reach $8.75 billion, providing fertile ground for NeuRaL AI’s growth.

The company’s innovative services and collaborative approach make it a strategic partner for businesses looking to stay competitive in the AI industry. With the Nigerian government investing heavily in AI infrastructure, NeuRaL AI is well-placed to capitalise on this growing market.

4. PBR Life Sciences (Nigeria)

In 2024, the company raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to support its expansion across Africa. The round saw contributions from investors such as Launch Africa, Microtraction, Kaleo Ventures, Octerra Capital, and ARM Labs. 

This funding will enable PBR Life Sciences to broaden its reach, expanding into Ghana and Kenya, alongside its ongoing operations in Nigeria.

Founded in 2015 by Ayodeji Alaran, a pharmacist with experience at pharmaceutical giants like GSK, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca, PBR Life Sciences pivoted in 2021 to focus on leveraging big data for healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The company’s flagship solution, “Versus,” uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze healthcare data from retail pharmacies, offering pharmaceutical companies required insights into product performance, market share, and competitor activity. 

This platform is very important in enhancing the operational efficiencies of healthcare providers while promoting inclusivity in clinical trials, ensuring underrepresented patient populations are included in research.

PBR Life Sciences is already doing great in healthcare analytics across Nigeria and aims to replicate its success across Africa. The startup’s growth has been further enhanced by its participation in the Techstars Lagos accelerator program, where it received $120,000 in funding and access to a network of mentors and investors. 

With Africa facing increasing health challenges, PBR Life Sciences is working to impact healthcare delivery with its scalable, data-driven solutions.

5. NALA (Tanzania/Nigeria)

NALA, a Tanzanian-founded fintech startup, addressing the high cost and inefficiency of international money transfers into Africa, was named in CB Insights’ Fintech 100 list. 

In 2024, the company raised $40 million in a Series A funding round to extend its consumer business beyond Africa and to enhance its B2B payments platform, Rafiki, which facilitates payments into Africa for global businesses. 

The funding round was led by Acrew Capital, with participation from investors such as DST Global Partners, Norrsken22, and HOF Capital.

NALA aims to serve the 1.3 billion people across Africa and also the emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.

Since its inception in 2017, NALA has expanded its services from local money transfers in Tanzania to offering international remittance services in 11 African countries, enabling users in the UK, US, and the EU to send money to Africa with lower fees compared to traditional services. 

NALA has already seen commendable growth, with revenue increasing tenfold over the past year and achieving profitability for the first time.

The company’s focus on reducing the high costs associated with cross-border payments addresses a big challenge for Africans, who lose an estimated $8 billion annually in remittance fees.

In 2025, NALA plans to continue improving its platform and expand into new markets, with the goal of transforming the global remittance sector while making cross-border payments more accessible and cost-effective for businesses and individuals alike.

6. Appmint (Nigeria)

Appmint is an innovative platform designed to bridge the gap for startups and small businesses across Africa. The startup addresses several challenges faced by the African digital marketplace, including high costs, a lack of technical expertise, and infrastructure barriers. 

Appmint offers a no-code, AI-powered platform that integrates business functions, allowing entrepreneurs to build websites, automate processes, manage customer relationships, and access data-driven insights—all within one affordable solution.

The platform was developed by Durubata Limited to make sophisticated digital tools more accessible to African entrepreneurs. CEO Jacob Ajiboye explained during the launch that Appmint’s mission is to reduce costs of operations and provide an affordable, user-friendly platform that enables business growth for startups. 

This initiative is particularly important in a region where many businesses find it hard to access the technology necessary to scale their operations effectively. 

Appmint’s to bolster its scalable tech infrastructure that can drive growth across Africa’s diverse markets, placing it among the top startups to watch in 2025.

7. Juicyway (Nigeria)

Juicyway is a fintech startup enhancing cross-border payments by leveraging stablecoin technology. Founded in 2021 by Ife Johnson and Justin Ziegler, Juicyway facilitates global remittances, enabling individuals and businesses to send and receive money in fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. 

The startup made headlines in 2024 when it raised $3 million in a pre-seed funding round led by P1 Ventures, with participation from investors such as Ventures Platform, Future Africa, and Microtraction.

Juicyway is addressing a big issue in Africa’s remittance market, where transaction fees are often really high. With an average remittance fee of 13% on $200 transfers in Q4 2023, there is a pressing need for more cost-effective solutions. 

Juicyway’s platform leverages stablecoins to enable faster, cheaper, and more efficient global money transfers, with 24/7 execution and settlement. The company’s focus on creating a liquid ecosystem for currency exchanges allows users to trade at market-driven rates, reducing remittance costs and promoting greater financial inclusion.

Since its launch, Juicyway has processed over $1.3 billion in 25,000 transactions across 4,000 customers, including partnerships with companies like Bolt, IHS, and Piggyvest. With the new funding, Juicyway plans to expand its team, enhance its technology, and enter new markets.

In 2025, the company will continue to scale its operations, providing faster, cheaper, and more secure remittance solutions that enhance financial inclusion for Africans and people in other emerging markets.

8. Hermplify (Nigeria)

Hermplify, one of the top startups to watch in 2025, is an AI-powered platform with a mission to support women entrepreneurs and young girls in Africa, providing them with the tools to grow their businesses and gain tech skills. 

Officially launched in 2024, Hermplify targets the challenges that women in Africa face, particularly in accessing technology and funding. With over 100 million female entrepreneurs across the continent, many of whom are limited by these barriers, Hermplify aims to be the solution that allows women to thrive in Africa’s digital economy. 

The platform offers a range of tools such as automated invoicing, payment processing, and online storefronts, helping women manage their businesses with ease. 

Added to these, Hermplify provides educational resources, including courses in digital marketing, web design, and data analysis, giving women a competitive edge in the digital space. Again, the platform also provides access to financial services, including soft loans, to support business growth. In its first month alone, the platform attracted over 1,700 registered users. 

The African digital economy is expected to grow to $300 billion by 2025, CEO Anthony Olanrewaju describes Hermplify as a movement aimed at amplifying women’s voices and talents across Africa, with plans to expand the platform to other countries on the continent.

9. JADA (Nigeria)

JADA, a Lagos-based talent hub specializing in data and AI staff augmentation, has already done great in its mission to transform Africa’s AI talent industry. 

The company raised $1 million in 2024 to support its goal of training Africa’s next generation of AI professionals. Founded by Massimiliano Spalazzi and Olumide Soyombo, JADA addresses the global shortage of skilled data and AI professionals, especially in light of the increasing demand for such expertise. 

The company provides a proprietary four-month training program aimed at experienced professionals in data analytics, machine learning, and generative AI, combining both technical and soft skills. 

In addition, JADA uses an AI-powered algorithm to select candidates based on assessments of their technical skills, case studies, and cultural fit. The business model provides a solution for companies looking to integrate AI into their operations by giving them access to highly trained professionals from Africa, where they can benefit from a cost-effective yet high-quality workforce. 

The company has been focusing on clients in Europe and the Middle East, leveraging Africa’s favourable time zones and English proficiency. With plans for further geographical expansion, JADA is aiming to compete globally in the AI talent market. This places the company among the top startups to watch in 2025.

10. PaidHR (Nigeria)

In 2024, PaidHR, a Nigerian startup focused on HR functions, attracted attention for its innovative solutions in payroll management. Founded in 2020, PaidHR has processed billions of naira in salaries and is now looking to expand its services with the launch of a cross-border payroll solution. 

This feature allows businesses to pay employees in multiple currencies, offering flexibility for companies with international teams. In addition to this, the startup has introduced a wallet feature that allows employees to convert their salaries into any preferred currency, helping them hedge against the devaluation of the naira. 

The cross-border payroll feature supports 49 currencies and is designed to ensure regulatory compliance while simplifying financial transactions for businesses. PaidHR also provides a range of HR services, including employee onboarding, performance management, and compliance. 

The company’s success in processing salaries across Africa has already seen it serve over 200 businesses, with plans for further growth in the coming years. 

PaidHR’s innovative HR solutions, one that places it among the top startups to watch in 2025, provide a much-needed service for companies looking to optimize their payroll systems and offer employees greater control over their earnings, tackling business challenges related to currency instability.

11. Aya Data (Ghana/Nigeria)

Aya Data, a Ghana-based AI consultancy, is growing fast in the data annotation and AI solutions space. In 2024, the company raised $900,000 in a seed round to scale its operations and expand its AI product offerings. 

Aya Data’s services focus on collecting and labelling data necessary for the development of large language models like ChatGPT, serving as an essential partner for global tech companies like Meta and OpenAI. 

Beyond data annotation, Aya Data offers two key products: AyaGrow, an AI-powered solution for precision agriculture, and AyaSpeech, a tool that allows businesses and governments to interact in local African languages via speech-to-speech technology. 

These solutions have already attracted global clients like MIT, Seedtag, and Unilever. The company’s focus on building local expertise and training individuals for technical roles such as data engineering and data science reiterates its focus on strengthening Africa’s place in the global AI space. 

Justifying its being among the top startups to watch in 2025, Aya Data plans to scale its team and expand its offerings to support African businesses in leveraging AI for increased competitiveness. With a revenue of $500,000 in 2023, Aya Data seeks to continue its growth and contribute further to the AI sector.

12. Octavia Carbon (Kenya)

Climate change continues to threaten life on Earth, but Octavia Carbon, a Kenyan-based company, is determined to tackle this issue leveraging climate tech with its innovative direct air capture (DAC) technology. 

The startup focuses on filtering CO2 from the atmosphere and turning it into rock, a process that helps mitigate the growing levels of carbon emissions. Octavia Carbon’s solution is part of a global movement to combat climate change, with increasing urgency as the UN reports a significant rise in atmospheric CO2 levels. 

This innovative technology offers a promising avenue for reducing the carbon footprint and addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Octavia Carbon’s work reveals the role of technology in developing sustainable solutions for environmental issues, and its growth is closely tied to the global push for climate action. 

With the climate tech sector growing fast, Octavia Carbon’s success in advancing DAC technology places it among the top startups to watch in 2025.

13. Waste2Light (Nigeria)

Another company among the top startups to watch in 2025 is Waste2Light which has made great achievements in the renewable energy sector by developing a technology that converts plastic waste into components for 3D-printed turbines. 

These turbines leverage both wind and hydro energy, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. In recognition of its innovation, Waste2Light was awarded N8 million in the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024, providing the company with the resources to scale its operations.

Led by Emmanuel Abah, Waste2Light has been recognised for its dual focus on addressing energy shortages and environmental issues. Abah’s leadership helped in securing the top prize in the Power Up category of the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024. 

One of Waste2Light’s key initiatives is the proposed hydro-turbine project for the Gurara community in Niger State. This project, which aims to provide 500 kW of electricity to five communities, will impact approximately 25,000 residents. The project is in its proposal stage, pending approval, but it reflects the company’s focus on solving electricity shortages in rural Nigeria.

Looking towards 2025, Waste2Light aims to electrify 100 communities, providing 1 million people with access to clean energy, creating 500 jobs in the clean energy sector, and securing funding for the Gurara hydro-turbine project. The company is also focused on forming partnerships with local governments and stakeholders to drive sustainable energy development.

Waste2Light is working to close the electricity gap, especially in underserved rural areas.

14. CDIAL.AI (Nigeria)

In 2024, CDIAL.AI received recognition when it was selected as one of the top beneficiaries of the N100 million AI Fund, a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy and Google. 

The company’s mission is to make technology accessible to everyone, regardless of their language, technological expertise, or economic status. In focusing on breaking down technological limitations, CDIAL.AI is creating innovative solutions for underserved regions, with a special emphasis on local languages.

Its flagship offering, Indigenius, a cutting-edge language diversity tool, helped in securing CDIAL.AI a top spot at the “Innovation to Transform Education” event in Lagos, hosted by Future Perspectives, an initiative led by former Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. 

The event saw the company’s solution take the top prize for its impactful potential in education. CDIAL.AI’s services include hardware, mobile applications, chatbots, and enterprise software, making it one of the startups to watch in 2025. 

Supporting over 180 languages for typing and 13 languages for generative AI, the company is tackling the challenge of digital inclusion for over a billion Africans. As CDIAL.AI moves into 2025, its solutions promise to bridge the digital divide, creating a more inclusive technological future for people across Africa and beyond.

15. Flowmono (Nigeria)

Another Nigerian startup that is doing great is Flowmono, a platform focused on workflow automation and e-signature solutions. In 2024, Flowmono gained significant recognition, winning multiple “Best Of” badges from Gartner Digital Markets brands, including Capterra and GetApp. 

These awards validate Flowmono’s focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and delivering cutting-edge solutions that simplify business operations. With a platform that combines secure e-signature technology, real-time data integration, and workflow automation, Flowmono has become a preferred choice for businesses looking to improve productivity.

Under the leadership of CEO Babatola Awe and CFO Akintayo Okekunle, Flowmono has experienced great market growth in 2024. Customers have commended its seamless integration into existing workflows, its user-friendly interface, and its ability to simplify document signing processes. 

Flowmono has received glowing reviews for its ability to save businesses time and enhance efficiency, all while ensuring the security and confidentiality of their data.

Flowmono is aiming for an even bigger 2025. The company plans to introduce advanced AI-powered automation tools, enhanced analytics for deeper insights, and expanded integrations with popular business platforms to create a more seamless user experience. 

Flowmono is ready to meet the demand for smarter, more efficient tools for businesses to gain higher efficiency. The company’s focus on data security, adherence to industry standards such as GDPR, NDPR SOC 2, ISO 27001, and ICO, and customer satisfaction make it a startup to watch as it grows in the coming year.

Themed ‘Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, the summit included a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, a mentoring session  and an interactive workshop designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills, insights and networks needed to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

Commenting about the event, Phil Oduor, head of Policy Programs, Sub-Saharan Africa said,

“At Meta, we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s change-makers. Through initiatives like the Youth Summit, we aim to foster innovation, promote digital literacy and empower young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”

Delivering the keynote address, Femi Aluko, CEO/Co-Founder, Chowdeck, shared his journey of breaking barriers to achieve success in tech.

He encouraged attendees to embrace the limitless opportunities within today’s technology ecosystem.

A panel discussion, led by Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager at Meta, featured panellists Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack. They shared valuable insights about the future of work, emphasising the importance of storytelling to build a personal brand, practicing self-awareness, developing soft skills, lifelong learning and honing problem-solving skills to thrive in a digitally transformed world.

Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, spoke at the event.

He highlighted the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, emphasising that the program aims to build Nigeria’s technical talent backbone to drive the digital economy and position Nigeria as a net talent exporter.

He encouraged youth to take advantage of this opportunity.

Another panel of industry experts took the stage during the ‘Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape’ session, moderated by Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta.

Seye Bandele, CEO of PaidHR and Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, head of Platform and Networks at Ventures Platform Fund, shared their invaluable insights.

Seye highlighted the importance of grit, curiosity and candour, while Damilola reinforced the need to understand one’s target audience, deliver value through their business and embrace data-driven decision-making in the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.

The event also featured inspiring conversations with leading figures in the creative industry. Miss Techy, an award winning tech content creator and Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author and speaker, shared their experiences and advice on achieving long-term success.

Attendees also benefited from an interactive workshop and a mentoring session, where industry experts shared practical advice and strategies for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts.

Meta Youth Summit 2024 highlights a commitment to driving positive change, championing youth empowerment and advancing economic opportunities in Nigeria.

Through investments in key areas—such as the creative industry, digital literacy, economic impact and youth job training—Meta is dedicated to empowering young Nigerians to thrive in today’s tech-driven world.

Established in 2020, PaidHR has gained traction within the HR management sector, offering businesses solutions that simplify their operations, from onboarding to payroll and compliance.

The company’s latest product innovation, a cross-border payroll system, is designed to allow businesses with employees in various countries to pay their staff in local currencies. 

This solution supports payments in 49 currencies and integrates a wallet feature, enabling employees to convert their earnings into a preferred currency and make direct transactions. PaidHR has partnered with licensed financial institutions to manage these transactions and ensure compliance with local regulations.

CEO Seye Bandele noted the importance of this development, particularly for their clients in Nigeria, where the devaluation of the naira has forced many to look for ways to mitigate the effects of inflation by converting salaries into foreign currencies. “We are building a cross-border solution that meets the needs of employees, particularly those facing economic instability,” Bandele said.

PaidHR’s decision to provide cross-border payroll comes on the heels of its success with Earned Wage Access (EWA), a feature introduced in 2023 that allows employees to access part of their salaries before payday. The company has processed over ₦20 billion in salaries this year and currently serves 20 businesses, managing payroll for about 60,000 employees.

The new funding will support PaidHR’s plans to expand into three additional markets by the second quarter of next year. With a strong emphasis on providing HR solutions targeting the African market, the company is finding a resilient place in the HR tech industry.