Nigeria’s OPay, the fintech startup that has been making waves in the country’s digital payments landscape, has seen its valuation soar to $2.7 billion.

This represents over 30% since its Series C funding round in 2021.

This surge in valuation shows the exponential growth of Nigeria’s digital payments sector and the increasing prominence of financial technology companies within the nation’s economy.

The valuation update comes from recent corporate filings made by Opera, an early investor in OPay. Opera’s stake in OPay gradually declined over the years to 6.4% by 2021.

However, a strategic move in early 2023 saw Opera increase its stake to 9.4% after selling its Asian fintech subsidiary, Nanobank, to OPay in exchange for equity in the company.

According to filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Opera valued its 9.4% stake in OPay at $253 million, reflecting the $2.7 billion valuation of the fintech startup.

OPay’s meteoric rise can be attributed to several factors, including Nigeria’s increasing adoption of digital payments and the company’s innovative services.

The surge in digital payments volumes, driven in part by an ill-timed currency redesign that led to cash scarcity, has propelled OPay’s growth.

As more Nigerians turned to fintech apps like OPay for transactions, the company experienced a quadrupling of its user base in 2023, accompanied by a revenue growth of over 60% on a constant currency basis, according to Opera.

Despite its rapid growth, OPay, like other fintech companies, faces challenges related to fraud and customer safety concerns.

Regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, have tightened rules on account safety, highlighting the need for OPay and similar companies to address these issues while continuing to innovate and expand their services.

As Nigeria’s digital payments ecosystem continues to evolve, OPay’s rising valuation underscores its position as a key player in driving financial inclusion and transforming the country’s economy through innovative technology solutions.

The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), representing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and telecommunication firms in Nigeria, have jointly raised concerns over the current state of the telecom industry.

In a unified call to action, they have urged the federal government to address critical issues such as tariff review and regulatory independence to ensure the sector’s sustainability and growth.

Despite facing significant economic challenges, Nigeria’s telecommunications industry has not adjusted its general service pricing framework upwards in over a decade.

ALTON and ATCON attribute this stagnation to regulatory constraints that have hindered the industry’s ability to align pricing with economic realities.

They argue that the current price control mechanism, which does not reflect market conditions, poses a threat to the sector’s viability and investor confidence.

In a statement released over the weekend and jointly signed by ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo and ATCON President Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, the associations highlighted a range of challenges plaguing the telecom sector.

These include unsustainable tariff structures, lack of regulatory independence, infrastructure deficits, a harsh business environment, multiple taxation and regulations, prohibitive Right of Way (RoW) charges, inadequate power supply, and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

The industry leaders stressed the urgent need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to overcome these obstacles.

They called for constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.

Furthermore, ALTON and ATCON emphasized the importance of regulatory independence in fostering a conducive environment for the telecom sector.

They advocated for the sustenance of a culture of independence within the regulatory landscape to safeguard against undue influence and ensure the impartiality of regulatory decisions. Regulatory neutrality and independence, they argued, are crucial for maintaining public confidence and encouraging investment in the sector.

ALTON and ATCON reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively with the government to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

They urged the government to prioritize infrastructure development, enhance security measures, and facilitate pricing adjustments to unlock the sector’s full potential.

The call by ALTON and ATCON underscores the pressing need for regulatory reforms and policy interventions to drive sustainable growth and development in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

As stakeholders await government action, the industry remains hopeful that concerted efforts will pave the way for a more resilient and competitive telecommunications landscape.

Madica, a structured investment program dedicated to nurturing pre-seed stage startups in Africa, has announced its inaugural investments in three innovative ventures.

Each of these startups is set to receive up to $200,000 in funding from Madica and will participate in the program’s comprehensive 18-month company-building support initiative.

The investment program provides a personalized curriculum, hands-on mentorship, founder immersion trips, executive coaching, and access to Madica’s extensive global network of investors for follow-on funding.

The primary objective of this support is to drive growth and ensure the long-term success of the startups.

Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica, expressed his excitement regarding the investments, highlighting the abundant talent and innovation present in the African tech ecosystem.

He said Madica is committed to supporting African founders who often face challenges in accessing necessary support due to perceptions of risk among global investors.

Madica employs an open application process, collaborating closely with local ecosystem players such as incubators, accelerators, and angel networks to identify and support promising entrepreneurs.

The selection process remains rigorous, with investments made on a rolling basis throughout the year.

With plans to invest in up to 10 additional startups this year, Madica aims to expand the reach of venture capital and founder mentorship across Africa, addressing the existing imbalances in funding availability.

The announcement of these investments marks a significant milestone for the selected startups, providing them with vital financial support as well as access to invaluable resources and networks to propel their growth and success in the competitive landscape of the African startup ecosystem.