Months of behind-the-scenes negotiations have culminated in a groundbreaking acquisition that promises to reshape the fintech landscape in Nigeria.
Risevest, the innovative fintech startup, has officially acquired digital trading pioneer Chaka in a deal that founders Tosin Osinbodu and Eke Urum describe as both strategic and exciting.
A Transformative Partnership
Speaking on the acquisition, Tosin Osinbodu, the founder of Chaka, and Eke Urum, the visionary mind behind Risevest, confirmed the successful conclusion of the acquisition on a Tuesday morning.
Osinbodu expressed his enthusiasm for the future, saying, “We’re excited, especially from the perspective of people; high level and strategically, this deal makes sense.”
He further added, “I’m excited about how Chaka’s product will evolve and how we’re going to learn from the Risevest team.”
While financial details of the transaction remain confidential, both companies have reassured that Chaka and Risevest will continue to operate as separate entities.
According to Eke, “Chaka’s ownership and cap table will get updated, but everything else remains; the team stays the same.”
Both companies plan to collaborate closely to enhance their respective product roadmaps, reflecting a commitment to growth and innovation.
A Perfect Match
Insiders suggest that this acquisition was a natural fit due to the complementary licenses held by both Chaka and Risevest. Although neither founder offered comment on this particular aspect, it provides a glimpse into the strategic rationale behind the merger.
Chaka, founded in 2019, positions itself as an “investment passport” for users. Through the Chaka app, users can invest in shares of publicly traded companies in Nigeria and the United States with investments as low as $2. Also, fractional shares are available, making investing more accessible than ever.
Chaka’s journey has been marked by challenges, including a temporary setback in December 2020 when the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) suspended its operations in Nigeria. The SEC’s ban stemmed from a perceived lack of licensing. However, through dialogue with regulators, Chaka became the first trading startup to secure a digital sub-broker license in March 2021.
The Road to Merger
Eke Urum, the founder of Risevest, shared with TechCabal the fascinating story of how this groundbreaking merger came to fruition. It all began with a mutual investor who floated the idea earlier in the year. Informal discussions commenced in March 2023, with both founders quickly finding common ground and even joking about their hypothetical collaboration as co-founders in an alternate reality.
Eke stated, “The first conversation we had about this was: this is where Chaka is trying to go; I wonder if this could happen. Investors on both sides have also always been aware. To my knowledge, all investors bought in when we spoke to them about this deal.”
Tosin Osinbodu concluded, “Knowing how much we have put in, the investors understand that we’re committed to it. I think the investors are really glad about this outcome and what the future holds.”
A New Era in Nigerian Fintech
The Risevest-Chaka merger not only marks a significant moment in the history of Nigerian fintech but also signals a commitment to growth, innovation, and expanding access to investment opportunities for Nigerians.
With their shared vision and diverse strengths, these two fintech powerhouses are set to navigate the evolving financial landscape together, potentially setting new industry standards and inspiring collaboration across the Nigerian tech ecosystem.
