Why fintech and clean energy are lifelines for Nigeria’s small businesses

By Islamiyat Kareem  

Victor Daniyan stands at the intersection of two forces reshaping Africa’s economic future: fintech and clean energy. As the founder of Nearpays and YourRider, Daniyan is building practical tools that help everyday Nigerians trade safely, earn more, and plan for the future.

A Forbes 30 Under 30 (2024) nominee and Certified Management Consultant, he is guided by the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, using technology to solve real problems, one step at a time.

In this conversation, Daniyan explains why digital payments and clean energy are not luxuries, but necessities for Nigeria’s small businesses.

Solving the cash problem for small traders
At the heart of Nearpays is a simple goal: make payment collection safer and more efficient for small traders. Many Nigerian merchants still depend on cash, exposing them to theft, losses, long bank queues, and high fees. Nearpays enables traders to accept secure digital payments, reducing cash risks and giving them better control over their finances. According to Daniyan, the aim is freedom—allowing business owners to focus on growth instead of daily money stress.

SoftPOS and inclusion at the grassroots
Nearpays’ SoftPOS technology turns smartphones into point-of-sale terminals, removing the need for expensive hardware. This has been transformative for rural and low-income merchants. With a device they already own and affordable data, traders can accept payments, manage sales, and track inventory. The result is simple but powerful: more sales, better records, and entry into the digital economy.

Why fees matter
For small businesses, margins are thin and every naira counts. High transaction fees can quietly cripple growth. By keeping fees low, Nearpays helps merchants reinvest in stock, expand services, and stabilize their businesses. Daniyan sees this as an issue of fairness—small enterprises deserve affordable access to the same financial tools used by big players.

Dignity, independence, and digital payments
Beyond convenience, digital payments restore dignity. Direct access to mobile wallets or bank accounts gives people privacy, security, and autonomy. For women, rural entrepreneurs, and informal workers, this independence reduces reliance on intermediaries and opens doors to savings, credit, insurance, and long-term planning. In Daniyan’s view, digital payments are not just transactional—they are empowering.

What still holds Nigeria back
Adoption barriers remain: limited digital literacy, patchy internet access, concerns about fraud, and the cost of data and devices. Merchant acceptance is another challenge, especially in informal markets. Daniyan believes sustained education, better infrastructure, and simpler, more affordable tools are key to unlocking mass adoption.

Clean energy beyond transport
Through YourRider, Daniyan is also pushing Nigeria’s clean energy transition. Reliable solar power extends trading hours, preserves perishables, lowers energy costs, and supports digital services. Clean energy, he says, boosts productivity and resilience—improving livelihoods far beyond transport alone.

Women, youth, and real impact
Women and young people are leading adoption across both platforms. Women entrepreneurs are using Nearpays to reach new markets, while young riders are driving electric mobility through YourRider. Impact, for Daniyan, is measured not just in downloads but in stories, higher incomes, access to credit, reduced emissions, and stronger communities.

Hope for Nigeria’s future
Daniyan’s optimism comes from Nigeria’s youth, entrepreneurial drive, and rapid digital adoption. Combined with renewable energy potential and a growing EV ecosystem, he believes Nigeria can leapfrog traditional challenges and build a more inclusive, sustainable economy, powered by people-first technology.