Updated:
FairMoney
FairMoney is a Nigerian digital lending platform founded in 2017 by Nicolas Berdou and Mathieu Flamini, operating across Nigeria, India, and France.
FairMoney
FairMoney was founded in 2017 by Nicolas Berdou and Mathieu Flamini. Berdou, a French entrepreneur, had previous experience at fintech-focused ventures, while Flamini is a former professional footballer who has invested across consumer technologies. The company is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, reflecting its original target market. The firm operates as a digital lending platform that uses machine learning to underwrite small unsecured loans for consumers in Nigeria and India. Its deployed capital has funded over 2 million loans (per TechCrunch, 2023). The asset allocation is concentrated on consumer credit, with the platform earning a net interest margin between origination and repayment. FairMoney maintains offices in Paris, France, and Mumbai, India, alongside its Lagos HQ. The firm has raised about $42 million in equity from investors including Flourish Ventures and Newfund (per TechCrunch, 2023). In September 2023, the company reported a monthly loan disbursement volume of $10M (per the firm). The structural differentiator is its mobile-first, data-driven credit engine. FairMoney relies on smartphone data points—such as SMS history, app usage, and transaction records—to assign credit scores to users who lack formal credit histories, a model it has scaled across multiple emerging markets.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2017
AUM
$100M-$500M (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
Africa
Country
Nigeria
City
Lagos
Corporate office
Lagos, Nigeria
Additional offices
Paris, France · Mumbai, India
Principals
Mathieu Flamini
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman
Nicolas Berdou
Co-Founder & CEO
Nnenna C. Aneke
Chief Operating Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at FairMoney?
Investment decisions, including credit policy and capital allocation, are led by co-founder and CEO Nicolas Berdou, along with co-founder and Executive Chairman Mathieu Flamini. The firm also leans on a data science team to set lending algorithms.
How does FairMoney source proprietary deal flow?
FairMoney originates loans directly through its mobile app, which has been downloaded over 5 million times across Nigeria and India. The platform leverages smartphone data for credit underwriting rather than relying on partnerships or third-party data aggregators.
Is FairMoney structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a venture firm?
FairMoney is not a family office but a regulated fintech company operating digital lending platforms. It is funded by venture capital investors including Flourish Ventures and Newfund (per TechCrunch, 2023).
Does FairMoney participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
FairMoney does not make fund commitments. It operates as an operating company deploying capital directly into consumer loans through its proprietary app. Its AUM represents the loan portfolio on its balance sheet.
What geographies does FairMoney operate in?
FairMoney has active lending operations in Nigeria and India, with its headquarters located in Lagos, Nigeria. It also has an office in Paris, France, primarily focused on technology and product development.
Which sectors does FairMoney avoid?
The firm focuses exclusively on unsecured consumer lending in emerging markets. It does not invest in real estate, venture capital, or other asset classes.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
FairMoney raises its lending capital from a combination of venture equity—totaling about $42M (per TechCrunch, 2023)—and debt facilities from institutional lenders. The underlying wealth origin is the institutional and venture capital allocated to fintech lending.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: