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Moniepoint Deepens Financial Inclusion for Nigerian SMEs

Moniepoint Inc. has disbursed over ₦1 trillion in credit to thousands of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria in 2025, marking a major milestone in the country’s financial inclusion drive.

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The achievement underscores the fintech company’s growing role in expanding access to finance for businesses—particularly those in the informal sector—often underserved by traditional banks.

₦412 Trillion Transactions Power Nigeria’s Payment Ecosystem

Operating as Nigeria’s largest merchant acquirer, Moniepoint processed an estimated ₦412 trillion in transaction value and handled over 14 billion transactions in 2025, accounting for about 80 per cent of in-person payments nationwide.

The scale of these transactions provides the data backbone that enables the company to deliver tailored financial services to millions of merchants across the country.

Alternative Data Drives SME Lending

Through its microfinance banking unit, Moniepoint leveraged alternative data such as transaction histories and payment behaviour to extend credit to businesses often excluded from conventional lending models.

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This data-driven approach allows Moniepoint to assess creditworthiness beyond traditional collateral requirements and credit scores, significantly widening access to financing for small businesses.

SMEs Record Strong Growth After Accessing Credit

According to Moniepoint’s 2025 Year in Review report, businesses that accessed credit through the platform recorded an average growth rate of 36 per cent, highlighting the positive impact of inclusive financing on business expansion and economic activity.

The company currently supports over 6 million active businesses, including provision stores, supermarkets, building materials dealers, and other micro and small enterprises critical to Nigeria’s grassroots economy.

Innovative Lending Model Bridges Credit Gap

Moniepoint attributed its success to an innovative lending model that prioritises real-time transaction data and payment patterns rather than traditional credit scoring systems.

This approach has helped fill the financing gap left by traditional banks, which often focus on large corporate lending and investments in government securities, leaving SMEs with limited access to credit.

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Strong Investor Backing Fuels Expansion

The fintech’s rapid growth has been reinforced by strong investor confidence, including a $200 million Series C funding round led by Development Partners International, with participation from Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Visa, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The funding continues to support Moniepoint’s expansion, product innovation, and mission to drive financial inclusion across Nigeria and beyond.

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