How Fintechs in Nigeria are supporting the #EndSARS cause

As the days go by and as insignificant as that now appears in the grander scheme of things, Nigerian Youth have heroically continued their peaceful nationwide protests in solidarity, that is expressive of their disapproval with excessive use of force, violation of their human rights and in some instances, extrajudicial killings within named units of the Nigeria Police Force.

With focus of this displeasure being the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and the expression now a social movement, the #ENDSARS protests continue to garner support from individuals, groups and bodies who seek to support the cause in a bid to strengthen citizens resolve. Bearing in mind the welfare and safety of these citizens lending their voices offline and online.

From pro-bono legal representation to medical aid and environmental services, some corporate organizations are also beginning to rise to the occasion albeit cautiously.

These fintechs’ in Nigeria (financial technology companies) however are more expressive in their display of solidarity and here’s how they’ve deployed new tech that seeks to automate the delivery and use of financial services during the protests:

1. PiggyVest

This graphic design courtesy the savings and investment platform, PiggyVest team has arguably become the social movement logo across the divide of the nation in solidarity against police brutality. It has also proved useful in creating a sense of a “stock free” image, as creatives, writers and social media users alike continue to deploy this as a logo representation for featured images in write-ups, posts and articles for a good cause.

Nigerians deserve to live free and not in fear. Our lives matter! Our rights matter! #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSars pic.twitter.com/5o83pVFShq

— PiggyVest (@PiggyBankNG) October 9, 2020

In addition, the CoFounder and COO of PiggyVest, @OdunEweniyi, lends her support in many ways that include, providing daily updates on the breakdown of monies received in different currencies and corresponding allocations via a Flutterwave donation fund.

N175,000 to WellaHealth
NN250,000 to Lanitas Food
N155,000 to EVENTMD Company (Ambulance for Unilag Protest)
N150,000 to Braingrace Consult (Ambulance for Airport Road Protest)
N185,000 for Alausa Ambulance
N200,000 for water and supplies for Lekki Protests

— Demotivational Speaker (@OdunEweniyi) October 12, 2020

2. Flutterwave Inc.

Announced via the twitter handle of the Co-founder and CEO, Olugbenga Agboola, payments solutions company, @theflutterwave is supporting the #EndSARS protest through a donation fund, to help with medical bills for those injured and protest organisers against police brutality:

We've raised 2m so far, and the team decided to open it up to the public. 

We are 100% against all forms of violence & brutality and we need to band together to put an end to this.

You can join the donation here – https://t.co/87hm5RdsYN #EndSars

— GB 🦋 (@TechProd_Arch) October 9, 2020

In the spirit of transparency, the Flutterwave donation fund provides detailed daily updates on total monies received thus and monies allocated to medical needs.

Third update on funds raised so far: https://t.co/gGiRXs8yIb

— Flutterwave (@theflutterwave) October 12, 2020

3. Cowrywise

Mutual funds and high-interest savings platform, Cowryise has made a donation of N 1 million to @theflutterwave support fund in line with their continuous show of support whilst encouraging donations to the fund.

The platform has also shared stories of police brutality and violation of human rights, as experienced and shared by members on their teams, including a now product marketer as a former undergraduate.

Several people have been injured, hospitalized and arrested as result of the #SARSMUSTEND protest.
In line with our continuous show of support, we have made a donation of ₦1 million to the @theflutterwave support fund. https://t.co/e2MnD79HAa

— Cowrywise (@cowrywise) October 13, 2020

4. Paystack

After sharing stories on sufferings of several members on their team and experiences and supports to #EndPoliceBrutality in Nigeria, members of the Paystack team have donated N 1, 000, 000 to help pay medical and legal expenses for protesters demanding that #SARSMustEnd.

https://twitter.com/paystack/status/1315765991608070149

These companies and many more continue to showcase the power of tech and creative communities, their empathy not just towards a workforce demography but indeed, their resolve for a better Nigeria whilst taking advantage of a digital era.