A Quiet Revolution in Nigerian Markets: How OnePipe Is Powering More Reliable Saving
OnePipe is an embedded finance platform that allows African businesses to integrate services like payments, virtual accounts, and credit through simple APIs or prebuilt tools.
In a recent essay for Tech Economy Nigeria, OnePipe founder and CEO Ope Adeoye shares a ground-level look at how automated payments are quietly transforming the way Nigerians save—starting with a small traders’ cooperative in Bodija Market.
The Problem with Pen and Paper
In Ibadan, traders like Mama Fola depend on community savings groups to manage their finances. But these cooperatives often rely on manual collection—pen-and-paper records, daily rounds by collection officers, and plenty of missed payments. The result? Friction that undermines the very trust these groups are built on.
From Reminders to Reliability
In 2024, Ire Ayo Traders Cooperative partnered with OnePipe to pilot PaywithAccount, a direct debit tool that automates recurring payments with a one-time consent. The result: contribution consistency rose 30% in the first month. No chasing. No reminders. Just reliable participation—at scale.
More Than Just Collections
Freed from payment hassles, cooperative leaders began expanding services. Financial literacy sessions, group insurance planning, and broader inclusion—especially among younger traders and diaspora members—are now possible. The change didn’t just streamline operations. It shifted the narrative from survival to strategy.
Why It Matters
Nearly half of Nigerian adults rely on informal financial groups. Making it easier to save doesn’t just reduce admin work—it strengthens economic resilience. As Adeoye notes, financial inclusion doesn’t always require flashy innovation. Sometimes, real impact starts with helping people follow through on what they already intended to do.
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