Across 2025, technology stories dominated Nigeria’s business and policy conversations; from telecom pricing and fintech funding to startup acquisitions and regulatory reforms. These developments went beyond headlines, influencing consumer behaviour, investment decisions, and government policy across the continent’s largest tech markets.
Drawing from industry conversations, founder insights, and community sentiment within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, this article highlights five defining tech stories that shaped 2025. While not exhaustive, they reflect the issues that most directly affected how Nigerians work, transact, build, and live in an increasingly digital economy.
1. Nigeria’s 50% Telecoms Tariff Hike Reshaped Digital Access
One of the most impactful tech developments of the year was Nigeria’s long-anticipated 50% telecoms tariff increase, finalised in January 2025 after prolonged negotiations between mobile network operators (MNOs), regulators, and the federal government.
Major operators like MTN, Airtel, and Globacom rolled out higher data prices and increased call rates within weeks. Voice tariffs rose from about ₦11 per minute to between ₦15.40 and ₦16.50, while SMS charges jumped from ₦4 to ₦6. Data plans were also repriced across networks.
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For millions of Nigerians, the hike had immediate consequences. Students spent more on online classes, job seekers struggled with higher data costs for applications and virtual interviews, and households were forced to reprioritise digital spending. While operators justified the increase as necessary to support infrastructure upgrades, the adjustment fundamentally altered how Nigerians consume digital services.
2. Moniepoint’s $90 Million Raise Cemented Its Unicorn Status
Fintech heavyweight Moniepoint extended its dominance in 2025 with a $90 million Series C extension, pushing its valuation beyond $1 billion and confirming its place among Africa’s unicorns.
The round followed earlier funding announced in late 2024 and included backing from global players such as Visa. By mid-2025, Moniepoint was processing over one billion transactions monthly, underscoring its scale across payments, digital banking, credit, and business services.
Industry observers viewed the raise as more than a funding milestone. It symbolised Africa’s ability to produce fintech platforms with global relevance, as Moniepoint expanded beyond Nigeria into international markets, including the United Kingdom.
3. Chowdeck’s Acquisition of Mira Signalled Startup Maturity
In June, food delivery and logistics startup Chowdeck made headlines with its acquisition of Mira, a young inventory and POS management startup. The deal marked a rare but growing trend in Africa’s tech ecosystem: startups acquiring other startups to deepen product capabilities.
The acquisition allowed Chowdeck to move beyond last-mile delivery into restaurant operations, inventory management, and merchant tooling strengthening its vendor ecosystem and operational efficiency.
By the end of 2025, Chowdeck had surpassed two million users and crossed one million orders in a single month, reinforcing the company’s role as a foundational logistics platform in Nigeria’s digital economy.
4. Nigeria’s New Tax Administration Act Sparked Nationwide Debate
The passage of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, set to take effect in January 2026, triggered intense debate across the tech ecosystem. Freelancers, creators, SMEs, and startup founders scrutinised what the law would mean for compliance, reporting, and digital income.
At the centre of the conversation was the Tax Identification Number (TIN), designed to link financial activity to tax records. While the government positioned the reform as a move toward transparency and reduced multiple taxation, concerns lingered around enforcement, data tracking, and informal sector inclusion.
The discussions highlighted a broader shift: as Africa’s digital economy matures, regulation and taxation are becoming unavoidable pillars of tech growth.
5. The Ezra Olubi Saga Sparked Conversations on Tech Leadership and Accountability
Few stories generated as much public discourse in 2025 as the controversy surrounding Ezra Olubi, co-founder of Paystack. The resurfacing of old social media posts led to widespread scrutiny and ultimately his exit from the company.
Beyond the memes and social media debates, the episode sparked deeper conversations about leadership, public accountability, and the permanence of digital footprints. For founders and executives, it reinforced the reality that personal history can have professional consequences even years later.
Legal experts and industry leaders pointed to the case as a lesson in corporate governance, reputational risk, and the expectations placed on tech leaders in a hyper-connected world.
The Bigger Picture
Together, these five stories reflect an African tech ecosystem in transition growing more capitalised, more regulated, and more visible on the global stage.
From rising consumer costs to billion-dollar fintechs, from startup consolidation to governance challenges, 2025 underscored that technology is no longer peripheral to Africa’s economy. It is central to how business is built, policies are shaped, and society evolves.
As the continent heads into 2026, these themes are likely to define the next phase of Africa’s digital transformation.
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