In Nigeria, Zest, the fintech arm of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC launched in 2023, provides a “multi-rail” platform that integrates bank cards, transfers, USSD, QR codes, and mobile wallets, offering businesses a single dashboard to monitor cash flows.
Zest, a fintech solution developed by Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, is providing a “multi-rail” platform that aggregates various payment methods, including bank cards, transfers, USSD, QR codes, and mobile wallets, while offering businesses a single dashboard to track all cash flows. The Lagos-based startup was launched in 2023 by CEO Stanley Jacob.
“Today, businesses must not only accept payments, they must also offer an experience that is fast, fluid, and scalable,” Jacob said.
Zest deploys customized solutions for businesses of all sizes. In the energy sector, for instance, a client operating over 100 gas stations can monitor transactions in real time, link them to inventory, and integrate a loyalty program. Within the port industry, the platform makes payment collection traceable and aligns it with high-volume logistics operations.
“For Africa’s SMEs and corporates, orchestrated payments are no longer a nice-to-have, they are survival infrastructure,” said Ifeoluwa Adekunle-Yusuf, Vice President of Product and Engineering at Zest.
For individual consumers and small merchants, the company offers a free “storefront” that can be integrated into its platform, enabling seamless management of product catalogs, online sales, and payments without needing to rely on a specific bank.
In summary, Zest aims to enhance the accessibility, speed, and transparency of payments in Nigeria for both businesses and individuals, supporting the digital transformation of the rapidly expanding market.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
