i-invest has launched a redesigned app in Nigeria with asset-backed loans, so investors can borrow against stocks and fixed income, plus new ETF access.
Nigerian digital investment platform i-invest has introduced asset-backed loans inside its redesigned mobile app. Asset-backed loans let an investor borrow money while using eligible investments as collateral, similar to pawning an item but keeping ownership.
The product is aimed at users who need short-term liquidity without selling their holdings. In practice, that means a customer with qualifying fixed-income securities, like Treasury Bills and other debt instruments, or equity holdings, like listed shares, can request a loan directly in-app.
At the Lagos launch, the company said the feature came from customer requests for more flexibility. The platform also said the goal is to help users stay invested while accessing cash, rather than liquidating assets and potentially losing future gains.
Alongside lending, i-invest added Exchange-Traded Funds, or ETFs, to its product list. An ETF is a basket of assets that trades like a single stock, which can make diversification simpler for retail investors.
On security, the app now uses a four-digit transaction PIN for sensitive actions such as withdrawals. The company also said it rebuilt the app with stronger authentication and encryption, meaning data is scrambled in transit and at rest to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Portfolio-backed lending is becoming a common “wealth plus credit” bundle in consumer finance, and it can increase engagement by keeping users’ assets on-platform. For Nigerian investors, it may also reduce the need to sell securities during market swings just to cover expenses.
The ETF addition broadens product choice beyond single stocks, mutual funds, and fixed-income instruments. That matters in a market where many retail users want simpler ways to spread risk.
The bigger test will be execution, including which securities are eligible, loan pricing, and how the platform manages collateral when markets move.
Primary Source: The Sun Nigeria
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