Endeavor has named Flutterwave, LemFi, Moniepoint, Moove, and Paga to its 2026 Outliers cohort, a group drawn from the top 10% of entrepreneurs across the organisation’s global network. The five companies were selected from more than 3,000 entrepreneurs operating in over 50 markets.

Nigeria’s five selections represent 45.5% of the 11 African companies in this year’s cohort. The remaining African companies are based in South Africa and Kenya, and include TymeBank, Onafriq (formerly MFS Africa), d.light, Hello Paisa, Pineapple, and Go1.

The Nigerian companies are led by eight founders: Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola and Ife Orioke of Flutterwave; Ridwan Olalere of LemFi; Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike of Moniepoint; Ladi Delano of Moove; and Tayo Oviosu and Jay Alabraba of Paga. Four of the five companies have appeared in previous Outliers cohorts. Moove, which joined the Endeavor network in May 2025, is a first-time Outlier.

Across the five companies, operations now span more than 46 countries on six continents. Each company operates outside Nigeria and Africa. Over the past three years, the group has collectively raised approximately $480 million.

“Nigerian companies make up nearly half of Africa’s Outliers,” said Ireayomide Oladunjoye, Managing Director of Endeavor Nigeria. “These companies are not just succeeding locally; they are shaping global industries.”

A programme built around the fastest-growing scaleups

The Outliers programme, now in its seventh year, is a year-long initiative designed for the Endeavor entrepreneurs leading the fastest-growing scaleup companies, as well as founders who have led their companies to meaningful exits and now serve as mentors to the next generation. Selection into the cohort gives founders access to curated programming, closed-door events, and a peer network of founders at comparable growth stages.

Across the full 2026 global cohort, companies collectively raised over $31 billion in the past three years. The cohort includes 93 companies valued above $1 billion and five valued above $10 billion, with 36 exits and 10 publicly listed companies. More than 80% of cohort companies operate beyond their home markets.

The 2026 cohort also highlights the role of diaspora founders in building AI-related infrastructure, with several companies developing foundational models, application platforms, and AI-enabled tools across industries from software to education. The Nigerian companies in this year’s list are concentrated in fintech and mobility sectors, where the country has seen the most cross-border expansion over the past decade.

Endeavor Nigeria launched in 2018 and selects founders at the scaleup and growth stage. Nigerian-based Moniepoint was among the organisation’s most recent unicorns, recognised for its role in transforming financial systems in its home market. Flutterwave, one of Nigeria’s most prominent payments companies, has also been featured in Endeavor’s global storytelling series focused on founders operating in markets with structural constraints.

Last updated: April 15, 2026