I-invest Wins 2026 BAFI Award for Market Access

In Short

• i-invest has won Capital Markets Access Innovator of the Year at the 2026 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
• The announcement was dated October 20, 2026.
• The award spotlights efforts to widen access to Nigeria’s capital markets, meaning products like stocks and bonds.

What Happened

i-invest picked up a top prize at the 14th BusinessDay BAFI Awards, taking home the Capital Markets Access Innovator of the Year award.

BAFI is an annual industry awards programme that recognises banks and other financial institutions operating in Nigeria. The “capital markets access” category is focused on tools that make it easier for more people and businesses to invest.

In practical terms, “capital markets access” usually means lowering the friction around onboarding and investing. That can include simpler account opening, clearer product education, and easier routes into regulated investment products.

i-invest is described as a digital investment platform powered by Parthian Financial Services. The award citation points to the company’s use of technology to simplify access to investment opportunities.

Why It Matters

Nigeria’s capital markets have historically been harder for everyday users and small businesses to navigate than basic banking products. Access often comes with paperwork, minimum thresholds, and unclear processes.

Awards like this matter less for the trophy and more for what they signal. They highlight which platforms are being noticed for retail investing and business investing workflows.

For fintech and wealthtech operators, this also shows where competition is heading, towards simpler user experiences and broader participation in stocks, bonds, and other market instruments.