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Nigeria-founded fintech Yellow Card has launched in Canada weeks after closing a $40 million funding round, as it pivots from consumer crypto trading to business-to-business stablecoin payments across emerging markets.

Nigerian startups attracted about $254 million in the first half of 2026, the first time funding has crossed the $250 million mark since 2022, as the country reclaimed its position as Africa's leading destination for startup equity.

Nine companies disclosed funding in September, down from $364.1 million across 20 startups in the previous month.

The development lender says its 2026 interventions combine credit, guarantees and investment to draw commercial funding into agriculture, finance and job creation.

Founders are prioritising gross margin and retention over headline growth.

The 350-basis-point reduction marked a larger step in the easing cycle, though borrowing costs will still depend on liquidity, bank funding and credit risk.

At least 30 percent of the sovereign-guaranteed funding is expected to support Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises.