We're celebrating a major milestone and looking back at how far our community has come in just 18 months.
When we launched OnBuy 18 months ago in a one-room office in Yaba, our goal was simple: make smartphones accessible to every Nigerian who needs one — without the dehumanising loan paperwork, without the hidden fees, without the wait.
Today we are celebrating crossing 50,000 active customers. And we want to say one thing very loudly: thank you.
A community-built platform
From Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Enugu, Calabar to Sokoto — every customer, merchant and agent has shaped what OnBuy is today. Your feedback drove the night-mode redesign, the AutoPay feature, the IMEI-locked recovery system that protects merchants, and the shorter 6-week plans for low-income earners.
We read every review. We answer every support ticket. We read every angry tweet (and try not to take them personally).
The numbers behind the milestone
50,247 active customers across 34 states. ₦12.4B in devices financed since launch. 96.4% repayment rate (one of the highest BNPL rates in Africa). 2,840 merchant partners. 180 field agents nationwide. 17 minutes — average approval time.
What's next
Three things we are committing to publicly this quarter:
First, same-day approvals nationwide. Currently, customers in tier-2 cities sometimes wait until next morning. By July, every approval will be under 30 minutes regardless of location.
Second, laptops and home electronics. You've been asking for it for a year. We're starting with laptops in May, then tablets, then home electronics by year-end.
Third, a merchant rewards programme. Top-performing merchants will earn cashback on every approved sale, plus priority listing in the OnBuy customer app.
To our customers
You trusted us with your phone, your business and your story. The journey is only just beginning — and we promise to keep building OnBuy the way we built it from day one: by listening to you.
From everyone at OnBuy: thank you, Nigeria. The next 50,000 will move even faster.