Airvend named on BusinessDay Top 100 Fastest Growing SMEs

Airvend Payment Services Limited, a Central Bank of Nigeria licensed fintech company providing digital payment solutions, has been named on the 2025 BusinessDay Top 100 Fastest Growing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria, placing it among businesses noted for growth performance, innovation and market relevance within the financial services sector.

Airvend operates as a Payment Solution Services provider, offering products designed to support digital transactions across multiple channels. Its portfolio includes *Airvend, Airpay, 174# USSD, and Airgate, which collectively enable seamless payment processing for individuals and businesses, including specialized payment solutions for airline ticketing, ancillary services, and travel-related transactions. The company’s operations are focused on expanding access to digital financial services while supporting Nigeria’s transition towards a cashless economy, with tailored capabilities for high-volume, real-time payment environments such as the aviation sector.

The company is led by Precious Chiedozie Ekezie, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, who oversees Airvend’s operations and strategic direction. In this role, Ekezie is responsible for ensuring coordination across teams, strengthening internal systems and aligning product development with market needs. He is known for his interest in fintech innovation and digital transformation, applying expertise in artificial intelligence, project management, mentorship, technology negotiation and digital currency to drive organisational growth.

Ekezie began his industrial career at the Nigerian Navy Naval Dockyard, an experience that contributed to his leadership discipline and operational approach. He holds an MBA from Nexford University, with a specialisation in Artificial Intelligence, where his studies focused on applying AI to business challenges and opportunities.

He has also played key roles in the development and scaling of technology ventures. Ekezie co-founded Madsuite Technologies, a digital branding and IT company that was selected among the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s 1,000 best startups in Africa in 2017, and later named among the top 100 startups globally to represent Nigeria in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2019. He was instrumental in driving strategic growth initiatives that strengthened market positioning and operational capacity. He is an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a member of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), reflecting his cross-disciplinary expertise spanning finance, technology, and innovation.

At Airvend, Ekezie has led efforts to build partnerships with both local and international technology companies and mobile network operators. These collaborations, according to the company, have contributed to increased transaction volumes and revenue growth. He also led the team that secured regulatory licences from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate as a Payment Solution Service Provider, Payment Terminal Service Provider, and Super Agent, enabling Airvend to expand its service offerings within Nigeria’s regulated financial ecosystem.

The BusinessDay Top 100 Fastest Growing SMEs ranking is based on criteria including revenue growth, scalability, innovation, market expansion and business sustainability. Airvend’s inclusion reflects its operational progress and participation within Nigeria’s fintech and digital payments landscape.

Airvend stated that it will continue to strengthen its technology infrastructure, deepen partnerships and expand its payment solutions, while maintaining a focus on compliance, innovation and customer trust as it scales its operations.

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