Few innovations in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving digital economy have generated as much attention as Wealthser, a fintech company powered by artificial intelligence and co-founded by Chidinma Egbu. This week, the company announced the successful raise of $1.3 million in seed funding to deepen its mission of transforming how Nigerians interact with money through data intelligence and inclusive technology. The funding round, led by a mix of local and international investors, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s fintech ecosystem, which continues to attract global interest despite economic headwinds.
At its core, the company uses AI to analyze consumer behavior, predict financial needs, and automate savings, lending, and investment decisions with precision and transparency. By creating tools that simplify complex financial processes, the company aims to bridge the gap between technology and trust, a gap that has long limited financial participation for millions of Nigerians. For small business owners, this means faster credit access and tailored insights to manage growth. For individuals, it means better visibility into their financial health, personalized recommendations, and the ability to make decisions based on accurate, data-driven feedback.
The new investment, according to the co-founders, will be channeled into expanding Wealthser’s technology infrastructure, scaling its AI capabilities, and reaching underserved regions where access to financial services remains limited. The funding represents more than capital; it is a vote of confidence in a Nigerian-built innovation designed to solve Nigerian realities — from inconsistent income data to limited digital footprints in the informal economy.
Speaking on the raise, Chidinma Egbu, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wealthser, expressed deep gratitude to the investors and her team for believing in the company’s long-term vision. “This funding is not just for Wealthser,” she said. “It is for every young Nigerian who has been told that innovation cannot start here or thrive here. We are proving that it can and that intelligence, when applied with purpose, can rewrite the story of finance in Africa.” Her statement reflects the ethos behind the company’s creation, to use artificial intelligence not as a distant concept, but as a practical tool for empowerment.
Industry analysts have described the funding as another sign of fintech maturity in Nigeria, where startups are shifting from payment facilitation to more advanced intelligence-based services. With this new capital, the company is expected to accelerate the rollout of its upcoming AI-powered financial assistant, an innovation that will integrate behavioral analytics to deliver personalized financial coaching directly through mobile platforms. The company is also developing data partnerships that will help create more inclusive credit systems, particularly for low-income earners and informal traders who are often excluded from traditional banking.
As the company enters this new growth phase, its rise underscores the increasing role of women in technology and finance in Nigeria. Her leadership reflects a new generation of founders who merge empathy with innovation, building not only profitable companies but also solutions that redefine access, trust, and intelligence in Africa’s digital economy. For a country still grappling with financial exclusion, the company $1.3 million raise is more than a funding story; it is a promise that the future of finance can indeed be local, smart, and equitable.
