Nigerian fintech company Nearpays has won the $100,000 Fintech for Good prize at the 2026 MoneySurge Pitch Competition, strengthening its efforts to make digital payments and financial compliance more accessible to small businesses across Africa.
The award recognises Nearpays’ work in addressing two major challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): access to affordable payment infrastructure and tax compliance. The company uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide digital payment and financial tools that can reduce costs and make everyday transactions safer and easier.
Founded by CEO Victor Daniyan, Nearpays has developed a Soft POS solution that turns an ordinary smartphone into an NFC-enabled payment terminal. This allows merchants to accept contactless payments without having to purchase traditional point-of-sale hardware.
For many small businesses, the cost and availability of payment terminals have remained barriers to joining the digital economy. Nearpays was founded to address this gap, particularly among merchants in rural and underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
The company says its technology can help create a more inclusive payment system while also reducing exposure to digital fraud and scams.
Expanding Access to Digital Payments and Compliance
Nearpays combines its payment technology with an AI-powered tax engine. The system uses transaction data to automate tax filing, help businesses manage their tax liabilities and reduce the risk of over-taxation.
This approach gives the company a wider role beyond payment processing. By bringing payments and financial intelligence into one platform, Nearpays aims to help merchants manage important financial tasks while creating new opportunities for business growth.
Nearpays currently operates in Nigeria and several other countries. It is also expanding its footprint across the continent as demand for accessible digital financial services continues to grow.
The company describes itself as an AI-powered fintech operating in Africa’s $100 billion-plus fintech market. Its model is built around making digital payments more accessible while helping businesses meet their financial and compliance obligations.
Daniyan’s company has already received international recognition for its work. In July 2026, Nearpays became the first African startup to win the United Nations’ AI for Good Innovation Factory Grand Finale in Geneva. The achievement brought global attention and funding to its AI-integrated payment and compliance platform.
The latest award came at MoneySurge, the signature startup pitch competition held during Money20/20 Middle East. The 2026 competition took place on September 14 at the Capital Stage inside the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center in Malham, Saudi Arabia.
Recognition After a Competitive Finale
MoneySurge is designed to give early-stage fintech companies an opportunity to present their business models to global institutional investors, venture capitalists and industry leaders. Startups compete for funding, mentorship and potential strategic partnerships.
This year, 25 semi-finalists were narrowed down to eight finalists before the final round. A total of $400,000 in prize money was awarded to three standout startups.
Nearpays received the $100,000 Fintech for Good prize, listed alongside the company and Daniyan as the winning team.
The recognition adds to Nearpays’ growing international profile as it seeks to scale its technology across Africa. Its focus remains on removing barriers that prevent smaller businesses from accepting digital payments and managing compliance efficiently.
By combining contactless payments with AI-powered financial tools, Nearpays is positioning its platform as a way to help more African businesses participate in the continent’s growing digital economy.
