In Nigeria, cooperatives—known locally as ‘co-ops’—are vital to the country’s informal financial system. With a limited formal banking sector impacting millions, co-ops have emerged as solutions for community-based savings and lending. Over 100,000 co-ops operate across Nigeria, serving members’ diverse financial needs, from bulk purchases of staples like rice, to supporting major life events such as weddings. 1 2 Co-ops are increasingly focused on housing finance, helping individuals save for homeownership or rent-to-own models. However, most co-ops remain reliant on manual systems, limiting efficiency and posing challenges in financial reporting. A significant change is underway. The Nigerian government is proposing legislation to mandate digitization for all co-ops, opening doors for solutions like Empowa.