Nearpays, a Nigerian financial technology company, has won the AI for Good Innovation Pitch held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The company competed among other finalists and emerged winner with its Soft POS technology, a solution that enables smartphones to receive card payments without using physical POS terminals.
The innovation operates both online and offline and is supported by an AI-driven dashboard. It can also process payments from non-contactless cards through Nearpays’ embedded artificial intelligence system. The technology is designed to improve access to digital payments in areas where traditional infrastructure is limited.
By winning the competition, Nearpays will represent Africa at the global AI for Good Innovation Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2026. The event will bring together global innovators, researchers, and investors working on technology solutions that support social and economic development.
Nearpays’ Soft POS solution aims to address challenges faced by small businesses, entrepreneurs, and enterprises in accepting digital payments. The company’s approach focuses on using technology to make financial transactions simpler and more secure while supporting financial inclusion across underserved markets.
The win in Johannesburg adds to a growing list of African-led innovations gaining global recognition. It highlights the continent’s participation in building digital payment systems that can compete internationally. Nearpays’ work aligns with efforts across Africa to improve access to financial services through technology and local expertise.
As part of its preparation for the Geneva competition, Nearpays plans to expand its partnerships with technology firms, regulators, and financial institutions. The goal is to scale its AI-based payment solutions across more African countries and emerging markets.
Victor Daniyan, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nearpays, said the award reflects the company’s mission to solve local challenges through innovation. “Africa’s problems require African solutions, and Nearpays is providing real-time innovations to solve local challenges while using AI as an enabling environment. This win is not just for Nearpays — it is for every young African innovator proving that global-standard technology can be built here at home.”
Phillip Kiracofe, Global Innovation Leader and Startup Ecosystem Advocate, also commented on the company’s success. “Nearpays represents the spirit of African innovation — solving real problems with scalable technology and bold vision. Their Soft POS solution demonstrates world-class ingenuity, and I encourage the team to continue building impactful infrastructure as they represent Nigeria and the continent on the global stage in Geneva.”
Nearpays expressed appreciation to the AI for Good team, the African tech ecosystem, and its partners for supporting the growth of African technology and innovation.
