💵 Nigeria Unveils ₦50m Equity-Free Grant for Student Innovators

Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Some financial products quietly appear and fade into the mix, but every now and then, one lands with the kind of intention you can feel. That’s the energy around LemFi’s new Instant Access Savings for immigrants in the UK. It’s one of those moves that reminds you how fast the migrant finance space is evolving, and how deeply personal these innovations actually are.

Because behind all the buzzwords about remittances and digital banking, there’s a simple reality: millions of people are abroad trying to build stability from scratch, and every new tool that helps them save, earn, or breathe easier ends up shaping whole communities.

So today’s edition leans into that idea, how thoughtful financial products can genuinely shift the ground for immigrants, and why the companies building them are the ones rewriting the future of global money.

Let’s dive in.👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 Nigeria Bets Big on Student Innovators with N50m Equity-Free Grant
🔋FG Rolls Out 500 CNG Stations to Cut Petrol Costs Nationwide
💵 LemFi Just Dropped a UK Savings Account And Immigrants Are Winning Big
🏦 Zenith Bank Is Moving Into Kenya
💰JICA Drops $50M Into Helios — Backing Africa’s Next Big Growth Wave
💵 Wahu Mobility Scores New Funding to Supercharge Africa’s E-Bike Revolution

 💵FUNDING

Nigeria Bets Big on Student Innovators with N50m Equity-Free Grant

Nigeria is finally putting serious money behind its student innovators — and in a big way. The Federal Government has launched a new N50 million equity-free VC-style grant aimed at helping students with big ideas actually build them here instead of dreaming of japa.

The idea is simple: universities are overflowing with smart young people building apps, hardware, and solutions in health, logistics, and more — but lack of funding (and the urge to relocate) keeps killing those dreams early. With this new S-VCG program, the government says it’s actively looking for “future Nigerian unicorns” and “the next moonshot,” not just small projects.

The best part is that the funding is equity-free, meaning founders get the full N50m without giving up a single percentage of their company. It’s basically the government acting as an angel investor — but without taking a cut..........…continue reading

🔋CLEAN ENERGY

FG Rolls Out 500 CNG Stations to Cut Petrol Costs Nationwide

Nigeria is making a bold move to break its heavy reliance on petrol. The Federal Government has announced a massive plan to build 500 CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) refuelling stations across the country within three years — a shift aimed at giving Nigerians a cleaner, cheaper fuel alternative as petrol prices continue to bite after subsidy removal.

The project comes out of a new partnership between the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF) and Chinese manufacturer Endurance Group. Together, they’re setting up a special company called CAM InfraCo, backed by MDGIF, Bank of Industry, Endurance Group, and Séquor Investment Partners.

This new company won’t just build hundreds of CNG stations — they’ll also create a full CNG supply network:

• LCNG infrastructure

• CNG & LNG transport trucks

• A “virtual pipeline” system to deliver gas nationwide

Basically, they want to fix the long queues at the few CNG stations we have now and make gas a real alternative for buses, taxis, and cars across Nigeria.….continue reading

💵 PAYMENTS

LemFi Just Dropped a UK Savings Account and Immigrants Are Winning Big

LemFi is leveling up. The fintech built for immigrants has launched a brand-new Instant Access Savings Account in the UK, giving users a simple way to save money inside the same app they already use to send cash home.

The big deal? It pays 3.92% interest — way higher than the UK average — and your money is protected up to £85,000 thanks to ClearBank. Interest is earned daily and paid monthly, so users can literally watch their money grow without jumping between apps or dealing with complicated banking rules.

This move hits a real need: millions of people in the UK (especially immigrants) are “credit invisible,” even though they’re sending billions in remittances every year. LemFi wants to change that. The savings account is just one piece of a bigger plan that includes LemFi Credit and SNPL (Send Now, Pay Later), all built to make life easier for newcomers trying to build financial stability..............…continue reading

🏦BANKING

Zenith Bank Is Moving Into Kenya

Zenith Bank is making a bold move into East Africa. The Nigerian banking giant is set to acquire Paramount Bank in Kenya — its first-ever entry into the region — with the deal expected to wrap up by January 2026. Regulators in both countries are still reviewing it, but the timing couldn’t be better.

Kenya is about to enforce much tougher capital rules, pushing banks to either bulk up or merge. Paramount Bank, a mid-sized lender with eight branches, falls right in the zone of institutions that need a stronger balance sheet. Enter Zenith — well-capitalized, ambitious, and clearly hungry for African expansion.

Once approved, Zenith will join UBA, GTBank, and Access Bank as the fourth Nigerian bank operating in Kenya. And with Kenya lifting its decade-long freeze on new banking licenses, the door is now wide open for regional heavyweights to step in...…..…continue reading

💰INVESTMENTS

JICA Drops $50M Into Helios — Backing Africa’s Next Big Growth Wave

Japan just doubled down on Africa’s growth story. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has invested $50 million into Helios Investors V, the latest private equity fund from Helios Investment Partners — one of Africa’s biggest and most influential investment firms.

They’re not alone, either. JICA is joining forces with heavyweights like the IFC, European Investment Bank, and a mix of private investors, all pooling long-term capital to back businesses that create jobs, scale fast, and strengthen key industries across Africa.

Why Helios? Because the firm has a track record that speaks for itself. From backing startups to helping established companies grow into market leaders, Helios has built a reputation for knowing how to navigate Africa’s complexities and win............…..…continue reading

💵FUNDING

Wahu Mobility Scores New Funding to Supercharge Africa’s E-Bike Revolution

Wahu Mobility just landed fresh funding from Sahara Impact Ventures, giving a major boost to its mission of transforming how Africans move. The company originally started by converting regular bicycles into electric ones — but it has since grown into a full mobility startup designing and assembling electric bikes built for Africa’s rough and varied terrain.

Wahu isn’t just selling e-bikes; they’re making clean transport accessible. Their leasing programs help businesses shift from petrol-powered fleets to affordable electric options, saving money and cutting emissions at the same time.

Founded by Valerie Labi — who first launched Cargo Bikes Africa before merging with MANA Mobility to create today’s Wahu — the company is rooted in a simple truth: in Ghana, vehicles and fuel are too expensive, and sustainable transportation is urgently needed. With Ghana’s population expected to more than double by 2050, Wahu’s work is becoming even more critical..........…..…continue reading

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