Three-year-old Nigerian fintech lands $11m investment
The round was led by QED Investors.
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Raenest, a multi-currency accounts platform for individuals and businesses across Africa, announced the completion of its $11 million Series A funding. The round was led by QED Investors, with participation from Norrsken22, alongside follow-on investment from Ventures Platform, P1 Ventures, and Seedstars. This equity-based capital injection brings Raenest’s total venture funding to $14.3 million.
With this new funding, Raenest aims to deepen its operations in Nigeria, while also strengthening its Kenyan presence. The company also plans to enter the United States and Egypt this year, broadening its impact with Africans within the continent and outside the continent.
Currently, Raenest holds licences in Nigeria as an approved International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO]) and in Canada as a Money Services Business (MSB) and is working to secure additional licences in key jurisdictions. The company has established strategic partnerships with banks in the US and UK, to ensure operational stability and reliability, and plans to use the funding to form additional collaborations with financial institutions worldwide.
Founded in 2022, the company helps businesses and freelancers receive international payments, convert between currencies, operate a multi-currency wallet, while managing transactions seamlessly. The platform also enables customers to open global bank accounts in their names, access physical and virtual dollar cards, and manage payments in USD, EUR, and GBP. To date, the company has amassed over 700,000 individual customers, processed over $1 billion in payments, and serves over 300 businesses, including MoniePoint, Helium Health, Fez Delivery, and Matta.
Raenest also offers a consumer-focused product, Geegpay, which provides Africa’s gig economy – particularly freelancers, creators, remote workers, and solopreneurs – with efficient solutions for receiving payments from Upwork, Fiverr, Gusto, as well as other overseas platforms and clients while minimising fees.
Victor Alade, CEO of Raenest, said: “At Raenest, we are dedicated to addressing the barriers that hinder Africans from accessing seamless financial services. Our journey over the past two years has been shaped by innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision to build a sustainable, globally impactful business that bridges economic and digital divides. This funding, supported by new and existing investors who share our mission, provides the momentum to scale our solutions and expand our impact across the continent. We are excited to continue building solutions that connect Africa to the world and drive inclusive growth and prosperity.”
Gbenga Ajayi, partner and head of Africa and the Middle East at QED Investors, added: “At QED, we’re thrilled to support Raenest as they redefine cross-border banking for Africans. Their commitment to financial inclusion, combined with a seamless user experience, positions Raenest as a game-changer in the region’s fintech landscape. We firmly believe that by bridging the gap between local and global markets, Raenest will unlock new opportunities for African entrepreneurs, freelancers and businesses, ultimately driving greater economic empowerment across the continent.”
Lexi Novitske, general partner of Norrsken22, commented: “Africa's gig economy is growing at an impressive 20% year-on-year, yet cross-border payment challenges persist for workers and businesses alike. Our investment in Raenest reflects our belief that they are unlocking new opportunities by transforming how Africa's global workforce connects to the world economy.”
Kola Aina, founder and general partner at Ventures Platform, said: “As one of Raenest’s earliest backers, we have witnessed their exceptional growth, their consistent delivery of quality and reliable services to customers, and their ability to deliver meaningful impact in the financial services sector. Raenest’s unwavering commitment to Africa’s gig economy and businesses is evident at every stage of their journey, and we are thrilled to see them continue to scale while staying true to their bold vision.”
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