Hizo Raises $100,000 to Boost Intra-Africa Transactions and Cross-Border Fintech Innovation
Hizo, a rising Nigerian fintech startup, has announced the successful close of a $100,000 Friends & Family funding round completed on June 4, 2025. This strategic capital raise will accelerate the startup’s mission to simplify and scale intra-Africa payments, allowing users to send and receive money in local currencies across African borders with ease.
Solving Africa’s Cross-Border Payment Challenges
Africa’s economic potential is often hindered by complex cross-border payment systems plagued by high fees, currency conversion bottlenecks, and unreliable intermediaries. Hizo is addressing this gap by offering a frictionless payment solution tailored specifically for intra-Africa transactions.
“Our platform removes the friction associated with traditional remittance solutions by allowing Africans to easily use their local currencies across multiple countries,”
— Victor Chiedu, CEO of Hizo
Unlike traditional remittance services focused on diaspora-to-home-country transfers, Hizo’s model is grounded in real-time, everyday transactions between Africans, traders, SMEs, freelancers, and families across the continent.
Strategic Use of Funding: Product, People, and Expansion
The newly acquired funds will be deployed across three core areas:
- Product Development: Introducing advanced technical features to enhance speed, security, and user experience.
- Market Expansion: Driving customer acquisition and entering new African markets.
- Team Growth: Upskilling existing staff and hiring strategically to improve operational efficiency.
This investment sets the foundation for future rounds of institutional funding and deeper integration with Africa’s evolving financial technology ecosystem.
Community-Driven Funding Model Reflects Hizo’s Core Philosophy
Choosing a Friends & Family investment route wasn’t just about capital—it was a strategic move rooted in community empowerment. Hizo’s leadership believes in sourcing funds from stakeholders who understand the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.
“We sought out investors who genuinely share our vision and understand the importance of creating sustainable, community-driven solutions in Africa,”
— Victor Chiedu, CEO
This grassroots approach ensures alignment between the company’s mission and its earliest backers while laying the groundwork for long-term trust and impact.
Hizo’s Vision: Redefining Pan-African Financial Inclusion
By focusing on local currency transactions within Africa, Hizo is pushing beyond conventional remittance platforms and championing financial inclusivity for millions of underserved users.
The startup plans to integrate with more payment providers and launch new cross-border features before the end of 2025, strengthening its infrastructure and market footprint.
“Our ultimate goal is to empower Africans to conduct business across borders without depending on foreign currencies,” said Chiedu. “This funding round is a critical step in that journey.”
About Hizo
Hizo is a Nigerian fintech startup focused on building scalable digital infrastructure for cross-border payments within Africa. By enabling seamless transactions in local currencies, the platform empowers businesses, individuals, and communities to trade and grow across African markets without friction.
