Coin WorldThursday, Jun 26, 2025 5:15 pm ET

2min read

On June 26, 2025, the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list for 2025 was released, highlighting global innovators. Among the distinguished companies, two Nigerian fintech giants, Moniepoint and Flutterwave, were recognized for their significant contributions to financial access and connectivity across Africa and beyond.

Moniepoint, categorized as a Leader, has revolutionized the way small and medium-sized businesses operate in Nigeria. Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, the company initially provided payment infrastructure for banks but later evolved into a comprehensive business banking platform. This transformation was particularly impactful during Nigeria’s 2023 cash crisis, where Moniepoint played a crucial role in keeping commerce alive for millions of people. The company now processes over 800 million transactions monthly, valued at $17 billion, providing businesses with essential tools for payments, loans, and expense management.

In 2024, Moniepoint secured a $110 million funding round, backed by investors like Google, which propelled the company to unicorn status. This achievement is a rare feat for African startups and underscores the company's rapid growth and influence. Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO and Co-Founder of Moniepoint, described the TIME100 recognition as a validation of their mission to create financial happiness for their customers. "This recognition by TIME is a powerful validation of the work we do every day to create financial happiness for millions of people and businesses in Africa," Eniolorunda stated. Beyond payments, Moniepoint offers credit access and insurance, addressing real-world challenges for merchants and entrepreneurs. Its platform simplifies operations, allowing small shopkeepers to track expenses or vendors to secure loans with ease.

Moniepoint’s growth reflects its ability to listen to users and adapt swiftly. The company’s leadership shines in its mission to democratize financial services, and its impact ripples across Nigeria’s economy, fostering stability and opportunity. Moniepoint was also named a category winner in two prestigious categories, Corporate Banking and Digital Wallets, at the IBS Intelligence Digital Banking Awards 2025.

Flutterwave, named a Titan, anchors Africa’s payments ecosystem with unmatched scale and ambition. The company connects African businesses to the global market, processing billions in transactions across 17 countries and enabling seamless cross-border payments. For instance, a South African customer can use a Kenyan digital wallet to shop in Senegal, breaking barriers that once stifled African commerce. During the 2020 lockdowns, Flutterwave helped 20,000 small businesses shift online, handling $7.5 billion in transactions. Its partnerships with global brands like Uber and a $15.7 million funding round underscore its influence. Merchants use its platform to accept payments in multiple currencies, from mobile money to card transactions, simplifying trade in a fragmented region. The company’s innovation lies in its ability to scale rapidly while staying user-focused, and its TIME100 Titan status reflects its dominance in fintech.

Flutterwave’s story is one of bold dreams meeting practical execution, and its growth signals Africa’s potential to lead in global tech. Olugbenga Agboola’s leadership inspires a generation of entrepreneurs, showing that African solutions can solve universal problems. Moniepoint and Flutterwave, though distinct, share a core drive of empowering Africans through technology. Moniepoint focuses on the granular needs of small businesses, offering tools that stabilize and grow local economies. Flutterwave, meanwhile, paints on a broader canvas, linking Africa to the world with seamless transactions. Both companies leverage Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit, and their TIME100 recognition celebrates their ability to turn challenges into opportunities.