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At the just-concluded International Construction Week 2025 held at Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the intersection between finance and infrastructure took a new turn as cross-border payment service provider, Cudium, introduced its payment solutions to the construction sector.
With participants from over 20 countries, the three-day event drew global stakeholders from across the construction value chain, from engineering firms and building material suppliers to logistics and procurement specialists. One of the emerging conversations from the event was the rising need for more seamless financial tools to enable international trade and procurement within the construction industry.
Cudium, a fintech firm that facilitates foreign payments for African businesses, was among the companies present. The firm engaged with contractors, suppliers, and project financiers, demonstrating how its payment infrastructure supports fast and secure transactions across countries such as China, India, Germany, Italy, Lebanon, and the United States — common source markets for building materials and equipment.
According to industry experts present, delays and inconsistencies in cross-border transactions have long posed challenges for construction firms, particularly those importing specialized materials and equipment.
During the exhibition, Cudium carried out live demonstrations and completed a number of real-time international transactions, drawing attention from multiple players in the sector.
“Reliable FX transactions can be the make-or-break point in construction timelines,” Dr Ajala said. “Seeing a working solution in action is encouraging.”
Founded in 2022, Cudium has been gaining traction among businesses that deal heavily with international suppliers, with construction now emerging as one of its key verticals.
Osungbade Akeem Wizeman, the C.M.O of Cudium mentioned that many African businesses continue to face hurdles with bank-led foreign payments, ranging from poor exchange rates to slow processing times.
The event highlighted an ongoing shift in how infrastructure-focused businesses are approaching finance — seeking digital-first, agile partners who can keep up with the complexities of cross-border trade.
With infrastructure development at the forefront of national agendas across the continent, access to efficient payment systems could play a growing role in project delivery timelines and cost management.
As the construction industry embraces digital transformation across procurement, design, and project management, financial innovation may be the next frontier.
