Hizo, a Nigerian-founded fintech startup, has successfully raised $100,000 in seed funding through a Friends and Family round officially closed on June 4, 2025. This investment, led by a prominent local angel investor, will help the startup accelerate its ambitious goal of simplifying intra-Africa money movement, enabling users to send, receive and spend their local currencies easily across multiple African borders.

A Platform Designed for Africans, by Africans

Traditionally, intra-Africa payments within Africa have relied heavily on foreign currencies like the US dollar. Recognizing this challenge, Hizo has developed a platform focused entirely on intra-Africa financial flows. “Most remittance platforms prioritize money coming from the West, often overlooking the significant value Africans exchange among themselves daily,” explained Victor Chiedu, CEO of Hizo. “We’re creating a product for the real, everyday economy—built for Africans by Africans.”

The platform, currently piloting in Nigeria, allows individuals and small businesses to effortlessly transfer funds and spend their naira across over 14 African nations without converting to foreign currencies.

Strategic Deployment of Funds

This initial funding round will enable Hizo to expand operations, improve technology, and enhance customer experiences. Key focus areas include:

• Product Innovation: Enhancing technical infrastructure and introducing user-friendly features.
  
• Market Expansion: Boosting customer acquisition through strategic marketing, increased brand visibility, and local community engagement.
  
• Team Development: Investing in training to scale operations, equipping the team with skills necessary for growth and innovation.
  
• Inclusive Funding Approach Opting for a Friends and Family round highlights Hizo’s emphasis on community-driven growth. “We intentionally chose investors who believe deeply in our mission and understand the transformative potential of what we’re building,” noted Chiedu. “This isn’t just about raising capital, it’s about growing a community around shared values.”

The company anticipates leveraging this foundational funding to attract future institutional investors and partners, strengthening relationships with regional financial institutions and mobile money providers.

The Future of Pan-African Finance

With upcoming plans to integrate more African currencies and deepen partnerships with remittance aggregators, Hizo is actively removing barriers to trade and commerce across the continent. By eliminating dependency on foreign currency intermediaries, the startup aims to empower Africans with true financial freedom and connection.

“We’re envisioning a future where an entrepreneur in Nairobi can transact directly with a partner in Lagos seamlessly in their local currency,” Chiedu stated. “It’s about creating real financial independence across Africa.”