Nigeria’s fintechs and startups took centre stage at the 2025 Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) .ng Domain Awards, signaling the growing influence of tech-driven companies in the country’s digital ecosystem. The annual event, which marked NiRA’s 20th anniversary, celebrated innovation and highlighted how startups are leveraging national digital identity infrastructure to build credibility and trust.
At the awards ceremony, Hervest was recognized as Startup Company of the Year, while Nibox Financial Payment Solutions won the .ng Fintech Company of the Year award. Afrigo Pay Financial secured the night’s top honour, being named .ng Company of the Year 2025. These accolades reflect a shift in Nigeria’s startup culture, where businesses are not only focused on products and services but also on establishing long-term digital ownership and local credibility through .ng domains.
Industry observers note that fintechs and startups are thriving at the awards because their models are rooted in trust, scale, and regulatory alignment. For sectors like payments, lending, agritech, and e-commerce, having a local domain offers consumers and investors a signal of legitimacy. Startups are increasingly using .ng domains as part of a broader strategy to anchor their businesses within Nigeria’s digital landscape while maintaining global competitiveness.
NiRA leaders emphasized the significance of these achievements. President Adesola Akinsanya reflected on the journey of .ng as a symbol of national digital identity, while COO Oluwaseyi Onasanya honored the pioneers whose work laid the foundation for Nigeria’s online presence. The celebration included unveiling the 20th Anniversary Logo and a NiRA History Documentary, capturing the resilience, technological progress, and national pride of two decades of digital governance.
Beyond fintech, the awards highlighted innovation across media, government, and technology sectors. Pulse Nigeria won Best Online Media Website, Cool FM received Best Electronic Media Website (Radio), and Lagos State was recognized for Digital Innovation in State Government. Lifetime Achievement and Presidential Awards further honored individuals and organizations that continue to shape Nigeria’s digital future. The strong showing of fintechs and startups at the 2025 awards signals a new era where owning a .ng domain is a crucial part of building lasting digital credibility.
source: Business day