A new Nigerian fintech startup, OnePurze, is betting that rising demand for fast cross-border payments, reliable virtual dollar cards and access to foreign currencies will help it win a place in one of Africa’s most crowded fintech markets.
The company, which launched earlier this year, said it is building a payments platform for Nigerians and other Africans who need to send money abroad, receive funds from overseas, pay international bills and manage money in multiple currencies.
The push comes at a time when cross-border payments are becoming one of the hottest battlegrounds in Nigeria’s fintech sector. More Nigerians are now working remotely for foreign employers, freelancing for global clients, paying for online subscriptions, shopping on international platforms and doing business with customers outside the country. That has increased demand for simple ways to hold, spend and move money across borders without the delays, failed transactions and unclear charges that often frustrate users.
OnePurze said it has already onboarded more than 750 customers organically since launch, without spending on advertising. While that number is still small compared with bigger fintech rivals, it suggests there is appetite for platforms that solve everyday payment problems, especially for users who struggle with international transactions.
