Hello,
Chimgozirim here,
Here’s what I have for you today:
- How to earn your salary daily
- Another data centre in Nigeria
- Nigerian startups are getting more money
Nigerian startups get funding boost
Over the past two years, Nigeria has lost its position as Africa’s leading destination for startup investment. However, the federal government is doubling down on efforts to improve access to capital for the country’s startups.
The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme has announced plans to launch new funds targeting the creative and technology sectors. This follows recent news that the programme was among the investors in Ventures Platform’s latest fund.
The move is likely to be welcomed by founders and investors alike. While funding for African startups has traditionally come from foreign sources, local investors bring valuable market insight and context, helping to ensure that the right businesses receive support and are better positioned to succeed.
By investing directly into venture funds, the government can help de-risk early-stage capital and pave the way for larger private investments further down the line.
What if you got paid every day instead of waiting till month-end?
That’s the idea behindDailyPay, a new Nigerian startup founded by Temidayo Dauda. After running out of money before payday and struggling to afford healthcare, Dauda decided to fix the problem himself.
DailyPay breaks down your monthly salary into daily payments and pays you at the end of the day.
a lifeline in a country where only 2% earn above ₦200,000 monthly. Unlike similar earned-wage-access startups that partner directly with employers, DailyPay puts employees first, verifying their jobs, pay history, and authorising salaries to flow through its system.
The company is still in beta, with 500 users (50 active), but Dauda says the feedback has been “incredibly encouraging.” He’s confident DailyPay will grow fast, supported by angel-backed liquidity and smart AI-powered fee structures that adjust based on how early users withdraw their pay.
In Dauda’s words: “If you work and earn a living, you should have a better quality of life. It’s beyond just earned wage access.”
Read the full story here to learn how DailyPay plans to make daily salaries the new normal.
Equinix announces plans for new data centre in Nigeria
Equinix is the latest company to announce plans to build a data centre in Nigeria. The company, which acquired MainOne in 2022, has revealed its intention to construct a $22 million data centre in Lagos.
According to Equinix, the facility — named LG3 — is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026 and forms part of the company’s broader plan to invest over $100 million across Africa.
Once completed, LG3 will compete with MTN and Airtel’s significantly larger data centres. MTN launched the first phase of its Dabengwa Data Centre in July 2025, while Airtel has announced plans to build a 38 MW hyperscale data centre in Lagos.
Both rival facilities come with higher price tags. The first phase of MTN’s Dabengwa Data Centre reportedly cost over $120 million, while Airtel’s project is expected to require a similar level of investment.
With a growing number of start-ups and technology businesses emerging across Nigeria and the wider region, demand for reliable data centre capacity is on the rise. Although many of these companies have traditionally relied on facilities outside the continent, the recent wave of investment in digital infrastructure bodes well for Nigeria’s ambitions to establish itself as a leading technology hub.
In case you missed it:
Nigeria to launch two new startup funds via iDICE, boosting innovation amid economic challenges and growing competition.
Aki and Pawpaw Epic Run was my breakthrough moment – Nigerian designer building gaming startup
Opportunities
We’re hosting a debate on AI in daily life. Join us to share your insights and perspectives.
