Alerzo is a technology company.
Alerzo has raised $11.0M across 1 funding round.
Alerzo has raised $11.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Alerzo has raised $11.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Alerzo's investors include Founders Fund, Galaxy Digital, Presight Capital.
Alerzo is a Nigeria-based technology company that provides an all-in-one platform for micro-businesses and MSMEs in the informal retail sector, offering B2B e-commerce via Alerzoshop, digital payments through Veedez (powered by Shago Payments Limited), logistics, and business management tools.[1][2][3] It serves over 250,000 businesses, including a network of more than 100,000 small businesses (90% women-led), primarily retailers and wholesalers, by solving challenges like inefficient operations, limited access to goods, cash-based payments, and logistics in Nigeria's informal economy.[1][2][3] This enables financial inclusion, cashless transactions, and scalable growth, with products present in every local government area.[1][3]
Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Ibadan, Nigeria, Alerzo emerged to digitize Nigeria's vast informal retail sector, empowering micro-businesses with tech tools amid rising mobile penetration and demand for efficient B2B commerce.[2][4] Led by Founder and Group CEO (name not specified in sources), alongside key executives like Group President and CFO, VP of Strategy and Transformation, and others in payments, procurement, and customer service, the company quickly built traction by supporting thousands via Veedez POS terminals and growing to over 100,000 trusted small businesses.[1][2] Early momentum came from its end-to-end solutions, recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer for digitalizing informal retailers.[5]
Alerzo rides the wave of Africa's digital commerce transformation, digitizing the informal sector—which dominates Nigeria's retail (over 90% of trade)—amid smartphone adoption, fintech boom, and push for cashless economies.[2][3][5] Timing aligns with post-COVID supply chain digitization and CBN's payment regulations, favoring integrated platforms over traditional wholesale.[1][3] Market forces like urbanization, FMCG demand, and financial inclusion (e.g., serving unbanked MSMEs) propel it, while competitors focus on narrower niches.[2] It influences the ecosystem by enabling retail economic development, partnering with brands, and scaling women's entrepreneurship, positioning Nigeria as a fintech hub.[1][5]
Alerzo is poised for expansion across Africa, leveraging its nationwide footprint to deepen embedded finance, AI-driven logistics, and cross-border e-commerce amid rising digital trade.[2][3] Trends like regulatory support for cashless payments, BNPL integration (seen in peers), and sustainable supply chains will shape its path, potentially boosting valuation through partnerships or acquisitions.[1][2] Its influence may evolve from Nigeria pioneer to regional leader, amplifying MSME empowerment as informal retail formalizes—proving small starts indeed lead to big possibilities in tech-driven commerce.[1][3]
Alerzo has raised $11.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $11.0M Series A in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $11.0M Series A | Founders Fund, Galaxy Digital, Presight Capital |