In the last few months, there’s been a slow but steady emergence of InvestNaija, an investment platform launched by Chapel Hill Denham. It must be admitted there’s something different about it.
At first glance, you had assumed it was just another entry in Nigeria’s increasingly crowded investment tech space. But at a closer attention, what stood out wasn’t necessarily the technology, but the intent. InvestNaija feels less like an app, and more like a movement — one that’s trying to change how Nigerians relate to money.
Reframing Financial Literacy
One of the more thoughtful features on the platform is LearnIN, a dedicated module filled with bite-sized articles, podcasts, and short courses — not marketing fluff, but actual knowledge. Even more interesting is that it features Bolaji Balogun — one of the respected names in Nigerian finance. The content is simple but not simplistic. It speaks to people who are just starting out, while still being engaging enough for those with some investing experience. What must be appreciated is how clearly it breaks down concepts like compounding interest — a concept that many hear about, but few truly understand.
Access Over Affluence
Perhaps the most striking aspect of InvestNaija is its accessibility. With just N5,000 users can begin investing in SEC-registered mutual funds – the Chapel Hill Denham Money Market Fund, the Paramount Fund (Equity), and the Nigeria Bond Fund, and with $100, users can invest in the Nigeria Dollar Income Fund, which is also SEC-registered. These aren’t obscure instruments — they’re credible, regulated, and managed by professionals. For a country where investing is still seen by many as something reserved for the wealthy, this is no small shift.
The Bigger Picture
There’s a lot of talk about financial independence these days, but very little guidance on how to get there — especially for everyday Nigerians.
Perhaps that explains the platform’s recent sponsorship of Big Brother Naija. Truth is, money conversations need to happen where people are, and InvestNaija seems to be making a case that with the right tools, information, and mindset, financial independence is attainable for just about every Nigerian.
Time will tell how far it goes. But for now, it’s worth a second look. Explore more at www.investnaija.com.
