Hizo, a promising fintech startup founded in Nigeria, has successfully raised $100,000 in a Friends and Family seed funding round, which officially closed on June 4, 2025. The funding round, led by a notable local angel investor, is aimed at accelerating Hizo’s mission to simplify cross-border money movement within Africa—without relying on foreign currencies.
Breaking Barriers in African Fintech
In a continent where intra-African financial transactions have long depended on external currencies like the US dollar, Hizo is positioning itself as a game-changer. The company is building an innovative platform that enables users to send, receive, and spend local currencies across multiple African countries, without the need for dollar conversions.
“Most remittance platforms are West-focused, targeting diaspora-to-Africa payments,” explained Hizo’s CEO, Victor Chiedu. “But the truth is, Africans transact with each other daily. Our solution is created by Africans, for Africans—to serve the real economy.”
As reported by TechMarge.
Currently in its pilot phase in Nigeria, Hizo’s platform allows users—especially individuals and small businesses—to seamlessly transfer funds and conduct transactions in naira across over 14 African countries. This functionality eliminates the traditional bottlenecks caused by foreign exchange constraints and bank limitations.
Strategic Allocation of Seed Funds
Hizo plans to deploy the $100,000 seed funding to drive growth in three core areas:
1. Product Innovation:
Hizo will bolster its technical infrastructure and introduce new features to streamline user experiences. From security enhancements to intuitive mobile interfaces, the goal is to ensure frictionless and secure transactions across borders.
2. Market Expansion:
The company aims to broaden its customer base through strategic marketing campaigns, increased brand awareness, and active community involvement. This effort will help Hizo reach underserved segments and highlight the relevance of intra-African digital financial solutions.
3. Team Development:
Hizo is also investing in its workforce by providing training programs to scale operations and foster a culture of innovation. A well-equipped team is essential to sustain the company’s momentum as it scales across the continent.
A Community-Driven Investment Strategy
Opting for a Friends and Family round is not just a financial decision—it aligns with Hizo’s grassroots-driven philosophy. According to Chiedu, “We deliberately chose investors who believe in our vision and are genuinely invested in Africa’s digital financial future. This round wasn’t just about capital; it was about building a supportive community with shared values.”.
This foundational approach is expected to attract future institutional investors, while also strengthening Hizo’s relationships with key regional players, including mobile money providers and local banks.
Toward a Unified African Financial Ecosystem
Looking ahead, Hizo’s strategic roadmap includes:
Integration of More Local Currencies:
By onboarding additional African currencies, Hizo aims to break down transactional silos and enable seamless value exchange continent-wide.Partnerships with Remittance Aggregators:
Hizo is already in talks with key regional and international aggregators to broaden its reach and enhance liquidity across markets.Support for Trade and Commerce:
By reducing reliance on USD or other foreign currencies, Hizo empowers African entrepreneurs to trade directly using their native currencies.
Chiedu paints a bold picture of the startup’s vision:
“Imagine a business owner in Nairobi seamlessly paying a supplier in Lagos using local currency—no conversions, no delays. That’s the future we’re building. Real financial independence for Africa.”
As emphasized in a report sourced by TechMarge.
A Promising Start for Africa’s Digital Economy
With this initial capital injection, Hizo is well-positioned to shape the future of African fintech. The startup not only addresses a long-standing infrastructural gap in cross-border finance but also aligns with pan-African goals of economic integration and financial inclusivity.
As the startup scales, all eyes are on how Hizo will continue to disrupt traditional remittance models and pave the way for a financially connected African continent. Its people-first, currency-inclusive approach is not just innovative—it’s necessary for Africa’s next financial leap.
