By Anne Nyambura
In an era where seamless financial services drive economic growth, fintech startup HIZO Technology Limited is making cross-border payments between Nigeria and Kenya faster, cheaper, and more efficient. Founded in 2021 by Nigerian tech entrepreneur Victor Chiedu, HIZO is leveraging blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to redefine money transfers and financial inclusion in Africa.
With over 80,000 Nigerians residing in Kenya and thousands of Kenyans living in Nigeria, financial transactions between the two countries often face high fees and long delays. Traditional remittance services charge up to 15% per transaction, significantly reducing the amount received by families and businesses. However, HIZO offers instant transactions with fees as low as 3 percent, ensuring that more money reaches the intended recipients.
“HIZO App is designed to eliminate barriers in African financial transactions,” said Chiedu. “Sending Naira across Africa should be simple, secure, and affordable.”HIZO’s platform supports real-time transfers between NGN and KES, multi-currency wallets, and secure biometric authentication. The app also offers business solutions such as bulk payments, invoicing, and access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
For Nigerians in Kenya, HIZO enables affordable remittances, helping families save up to ₦24,000 annually. Entrepreneurs also benefit from instant supplier payments, reducing delays from days to minutes. Nigerian students in Kenya can pay tuition fees directly through the platform, avoiding late penalties.
On the other hand, Kenyan exporters of tea, coffee, and other products can now receive payments in NGN or USD instantly, reducing forex costs and boosting trade. Kenyans with relatives in Nigeria also find it easier to send and receive funds without relying on expensive and slow banking systems.
Beyond transactions, HIZO’s expansion into Kenya is creating new job opportunities in tech support, cybersecurity, and sales. As trade between Kenya and Nigeria grows, fintech innovations like HIZO are strengthening economic ties, proving that technology can unite Africa by breaking financial barriers.
