FINTECH
What You Should Know Before Taking a Loan from a Nigerian Fintech
What You Should Know Before Taking a Loan from a Nigerian Fintech
Financial technology, or fintech, has revolutionized Nigeria’s banking and lending industries. The lending industry, for instance, has transformed from the days of bureaucratic application processes with much paperwork and the submission of collateral to seamless, streamlined processes with no collateral requirements.
However, with the country’s economic situation, people are desperate to get funds from any available means. This has increased the influx of poorly managed, illegal loan firms, also known as loan sharks, who exploit unsuspecting Nigerians with high-interest rates and unfavorable terms to offer them loans. To screen out these loan sharks in your quest for a good loan firm, you must understand the key factors and implications of taking a loan from them. That’s why this article will discuss everything you need to know before taking a loan from a Nigerian fintech company.
Everything You Should Know Before Taking a Loan from a Nigerian Fintech
1. Credibility and Reputation
Reputation is one of the most important things you must consider when taking a loan from any Nigerian fintech. Well-established and reputable fintech companies have a proven track record of reliable lending services. To verify the credibility and reputation of the fintech firm you’re taking a loan from, check the reviews and ratings of previous customers.
3. Regulatory Compliance
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) oversees the licensing and regulation of fintech companies in Nigeria. You must ensure the fintech company you’re taking a loan from is duly registered with the CBN. This ensures you’re taking a loan from a company that adheres to consumer protection laws and industry standards.
4. Interest Rates and Fees
The interest rates and fees are critical considerations you must make before taking a loan from a Nigerian fintech company. Understanding the rates and other associated fees is vital, as some loan terms from fintech companies come with hidden charges that could be exploitative.
Most fintech companies offer higher interest rates than traditional banks, but that is because they don’t request collateral to issue loans. However, shopping around and comparing different lenders is essential to finding favorable rates and fees.
5. Loan Repayment Terms
Apart from the interest rates and fees, you must review the repayment terms, such as the loan duration and the frequency of repayments. Fintech companies have shorter repayment periods than traditional banks; therefore, you must ensure the repayment schedule aligns with your financial capabilities.
Another essential thing you must consider when examining loan repayment terms is the consequences of payment defaults. Some fintech companies in Nigeria are known for calling their customers’ contacts to report their payment defaults and even harassing them in the process. Therefore, you must understand the consequences of defaulting on loan payments before taking a loan from any Nigerian fintech.
In situations where you’re unable to meet a payment deadline, you must verify if you can reschedule a loan payment to avoid default penalties. Some fintech companies allow you to extend your loan payments by two weeks or a month, depending on the amount involved and your credit history.
6. Loan Amount and Eligibility
Once you’ve confirmed the interest rates and fees and the loan repayment terms, the next thing you should know is the eligibility criteria and the amount of loan you can access. Most fintech companies offer as little as N2,000 on the first attempt and increase the loan amount as you repay and build creditworthiness with them.
Ensure you verify the eligibility criteria, such as the minimum age required, employment status, credit history, marital status, and any documents required. You must also ensure you’re okay with the loan amount the company initially offers before applying.
7. Loan Application Process
Understanding the loan application process is vital for taking a loan from a Nigerian fintech company. Is the application done online or through a mobile app? What documents are required, and how do you submit them? Most fintech companies require documents like a national ID card, international passport, or voter’s card to verify your identity. They also ask for vital information like your home address, employment details, and bank statements.
It’s best to go for companies with streamlined and efficient application processes that make it easy for you to access a loan in no time.
8. Customer Support
Efficient customer support is vital in every online transaction, especially with fintech companies. You must know if you’ll get help from the fintech company if you have issues with the loan application or repayment process. Smart loan companies provide different repayment channels, such as card payment, bank transfer, USSD, etc., to make it easy for their customers to fulfill their loan obligations.
9. Privacy and Data Security
The security of your personal and financial information should be your utmost priority when taking a loan from a Nigerian fintech. Some fintech companies don’t have strong systems to protect your information and data from third parties and can’t guarantee it in their policy guidelines.
Ensure you assess the fintech company’s privacy policy and data protection practices to ensure your personal and financial information is safe.
10. Alternative Options
Many financial institutions, such as commercial banks, microfinance banks, fintech platforms, and loan platforms, are authorized by the CBN to offer loans in Nigeria. Most platforms have different application processes, eligibility criteria, repayment terms, interest rates, and fees. Therefore, before taking a loan from a Nigerian fintech, explore other alternatives to ensure you get the best offer. While comparing their terms and conditions, assess their reputation and credibility, ensuring you work with authorized institutions.
Conclusion
Many Nigerian loan firms operate on their terms without adhering to the rules and regulations of the CBN. Even more, they neglect people’s right to privacy and use various crude methods, such as calling their contacts or harassing them publicly, to force them to repay loans.
Most loan firms (the loan sharks) capitalize on the country’s poor economic situation and people’s desperation to solve problems to demand outrageous interest rates while offering very short repayment periods.
It’s essential that before you take a loan from a Nigerian fintech, you do your due diligence to figure out if they’re authorized to give you loans and if they have favorable loan terms and a good track record of offering excellent lending services to their customers.
More from my site
FINTECH
Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania

Fincra Receives Payment System Provider License from the Bank of Tanzania, Expands Regulatory Footprint in East Africa
Fincra, a leading pan-African payment infrastructure company, has received regulatory approval from the Bank of Tanzania through its 100% controlled local entity to operate as a licensed Payment System Provider, enabling it to deliver secure, scalable, and compliant payment services across Tanzania.

Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania
This approval, granted under the Payment Systems Licensing and Approval Regulations, 2015, authorises Fincra to provide payment services in Tanzania. The license represents a significant milestone in Fincra’s East African expansion strategy and underscores its commitment to working closely with regulators to build trusted financial infrastructure across the continent.
“We are thrilled to receive this license from the Bank of Tanzania. It reflects our long-standing commitment to regulatory integrity and positions us to deliver even more value to businesses in East Africa,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO at Fincra. “This is a key part of our mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa”
The license allows Fincra to offer its suite of payment products and services to businesses operating in Tanzania, including local collections, business payouts, and API-based infrastructure for real-time payments, all while maintaining full compliance with the regulatory framework set by the Bank.
Fincra’s entry into Tanzania is strategically aligned with the country’s growing digital economy and its push for financial inclusion. Businesses in sectors such as fintech, logistics, travel, retail, and remittance will now be able to leverage Fincra’s infrastructure to scale faster, move money more efficiently, and expand across borders.
This development follows Fincra’s earlier regulatory approval in South Africa as a Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) and cements the company’s position as one of the few African fintechs actively building a multi-market regulatory foundation to support a truly pan-African financial ecosystem.
About Fincra
Fincra is building the trusted financial infrastructure for businesses in Africa to move money locally and globally. Through a suite of APIs and no-code solutions, Fincra enables secure collections, payouts, and settlements across borders, with full regulatory backing in every market it operates.
Create a Fincra account in 3 minutes here.
More from my site
FINTECH
Fincra Secures South African TPPP License

Fincra, a leading provider of payment infrastructure for local and cross-border payments in Africa, is proud to announce receipt of another Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) in South Africa.
Under this license, Fincra is now authorised to process the following types of payments:
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) Credit
- Real-Time Clearing (RTC)
- Rapid Payments
The license reinforces Fincra’s ability to facilitate seamless, secure, and compliant financial transactions for businesses operating within and across South Africa.

Fincra Secures South African TPPP License
This development marks a pivotal advancement in Fincra’s mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa by creating the infrastructure to simplify how African businesses pay and get paid globally.
“Securing the TPPP license in South Africa is a significant step toward realising our mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa. It reinforces our commitment to building compliant, reliable infrastructure that powers cross-border trade at scale. We’re excited about the opportunities this opens for businesses across the continent.”
— Ayowole Ayodele, CEO and Co-founder, Fincra.
Fincra’s new capabilities enable businesses across Africa and beyond to integrate directly with South Africa’s core payment systems and banks, offering faster settlement, greater reliability, and compliance with the country’s stringent financial regulations.
IFincra is now better positioned to support a broader range of merchants in industries such as e-commerce, logistics, B2B marketplaces, travel, and more.
“This license strengthens our ability to serve our merchants with faster, more secure, and locally compliant payment options in South Africa. It’s a game-changer for businesses looking to expand or operate in the region, and a strong signal of Fincra’s continued focus on enabling growth for our customers.”
— Emmanuel Babalola, CCGO, Fincra.
For Fincra, this is not just a regulatory achievement, it’s a signal of what’s next for the African payments space.
As Fincra expands across the continent, its growing regulatory footprint and partnerships with Tier-1 banks provide the foundation for scale and innovation.
About Fincra
Fincra is a leading payment infrastructure provider enabling seamless cross-border transactions across Africa.
Fincra empowers businesses, fintechs, and financial institutions to collect payments globally and make payouts locally, all through one powerful API or platform. With Fincra, launching remittance products, automating payroll, and expanding into new African markets becomes effortless. Fincra is building the financial rails that power trade, innovation, and scale across the continent.
Create a free account in 3 minutes at fincra.com
Connect with Fincra on LinkedIn , X(Twitter) Instagram, and Facebook.
More from my site
BANKING
Network International appointed as Payment Processing Partner by MTN Group Fintech

Network International (Network) (www.Network.ae), a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has been appointed as a Payment Processor – Issuing partner for MTN Group Fintech, Africa’s leading mobile financial services provider. This partnership marks a significant extension of Network’s portfolio of issuer processing collaborations throughout the African continent.

Network International appointed as Payment Processing Partner by MTN Group Fintech
With a footprint spanning over 50 countries and serving over 250 financial institutions, Network International brings its expertise to this partnership which will enhance MTN Fintech’s cutting-edge mobile services and provide even greater value to stakeholders and customers across Africa.
The partnership will focus on rolling out card issuance products across key MTN Fintech markets, starting with Rwanda which is already operational. Soon Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria will also be covered under this collaboration. Network International will provide a comprehensive range of services, including transaction processing, card management and online fraud prevention. MTN Fintech users will benefit from a seamless experience accessing both traditional mobile services and innovative digital payment solutions.
Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International commented: “Our collaboration with MTN Group Fintech marks a major milestone for our outsourced payments services in Africa. It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) via our fully-fledged processing solutions and our continued dedication and commitment to the African region. We are excited to support MTN Group Fintech’s growth strategy, and its business development plans across the continent.”
Cedric N’guessan, Executive for Payment and E-commerce at MTN Group Fintech added, “This collaboration with Network International is pivotal in enhancing financial inclusion across Africa and beyond. It enables our customers to actively engage in the global economy, aligning perfectly with our strategic goals alongside Mastercard to broaden access to digital financial services across the continent.” Read More (https://apo-opa.co/43aKuII)
MTN Group provides voice, data, fintech, enterprise wholesale and API services to more than 288 million customers in 14 African markets.
MTN Fintech, the platform business of MTN Group, is dedicated to revolutionising global financial services through innovative digital technology solutions. Leveraging MTN’s extensive reach and expertise in telecommunications, MTN Fintech is committed to advancing financial inclusion for all and empowering communities in Africa. With a primary focus on pioneering mobile financial services, digital payments, e-commerce, short-term insurance, and remittance capabilities, MTN Fintech strives to establish seamless, accessible, and secure financial ecosystems that shape the future of digital finance.
About Network International:
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s largest and leading digital payments company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We operate in 50+ countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. We have 2,000+ employees based in our markets serving over 250 financial institutions and 130,000+ merchants.
More from my site
-
EDUCATION3 years ago
Jamb Cut-Off Mark for A Law Degree in Nigerian Universities
-
BANKING3 years ago
POLARIS Bank Transfer Code| How to Activate the USSD Banking Code
-
BANKING3 years ago
Union Bank Transfer Code| How to Activate the USSD Banking Code
-
BANKING3 years ago
FIRST Bank Transfer Code| How to Activate the USSD Banking Code
-
BANKING3 years ago
How to Check UBA Account Balance From Anywhere
-
BANKING3 years ago
GT Bank Transfer Code| How to Activate the USSD Banking Code
-
BANKING3 years ago
Check GTB Account Balance via Internet and USSD Code
-
BANKING3 years ago
ZENITH Bank Transfer Code| How to Activate the USSD Banking Code