Paystack, the Nigerian fintech owned by Stripe, has launched a Small Business Program aimed at helping merchants access the tools, services, networks, and funding they need to grow.
The programme debuts with the Paystack Small Business Bundle, which offers 2,000 eligible merchants discounts and benefits worth up to ₦4 million ($2,923), according to the company.
The initiative reflects Paystack’s growing focus on supporting businesses beyond payment processing. In recent months, the fintech has expanded its merchant services, including securing a microfinance bank licence in January. The new programme builds on that strategy by connecting businesses with partners that provide services across bookkeeping, logistics, e-commerce, design, customer communication, and other operational needs.
Small and medium-sized businesses remain a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy. Data from the 2021 NBS-SMEDAN MSME survey shows that MSMEs contribute 46.3% of the country’s GDP, make up 96.9% of all businesses, and employ nearly 88% of the workforce.
“Small businesses are at the heart of Nigeria’s economy, but many still face practical challenges as they grow,” said Jumoke Gbeleyi, who oversees the programme within Paystack’s strategy and operations team.
“Beyond accepting payments, they need access to tools, services, networks, and funding that can help them operate more efficiently, reach more customers, and build stronger businesses.”
According to Gbeleyi, the programme was developed after Paystack observed that many merchants struggle with day-to-day operational needs such as inventory management, bookkeeping, customer communication, and finding opportunities for growth.
Rather than creating a standalone product, Paystack designed the initiative as an extension of its broader mission to help businesses succeed.
The Small Business Program will roll out through three initiatives. The first, the Small Business Bundle, gives merchants access to offers from partner companies across commerce, bookkeeping, logistics, design, workspace solutions, customer communication, and digital business tools. Depending on the partner, merchants may receive discounts, free trials, credits, subsidies, or other benefits.
Participating partners include Bumpa, Simplebks, Africaworks, FezDelivery, PressOne, Shuttlers, Canva, Ijeworks, Wiicreate, Flowcart, Kindlybook, Gamp, Mercurie, and Paystack itself.
To qualify, businesses must have an active Nigerian Paystack account and must have processed at least 10 transactions through the platform within the last 30 days. Eligible merchants can browse available offers, complete verification, and redeem benefits across multiple partners, although each offer can only be claimed once.
The second phase of the programme, the Small Business Launchpad, will provide selected businesses with hands-on support to help them get more value from Paystack’s products. The third initiative, the Small Business Grant, will offer funding support to selected businesses preparing for expansion.
“The broader goal is to support small businesses in multiple ways through access to useful tools and services, relevant opportunities, and funding support over time,” Gbeleyi said.
Paystack has not disclosed when applications for the Launchpad and Grant programmes will open, or how much funding will be available through the grants initiative. The company, however, says it plans to expand the programme with additional partners and new forms of support.
“For us, supporting merchants beyond payments is a natural extension of the work we already do,” Gbeleyi said. “If we’re helping businesses collect payments, we also have an opportunity to connect them to the tools, partners, networks, and support that can help turn those payments into sustainable growth.”