Luno, the global cryptocurrency platform founded in Africa, today announced the launch of tokenised global stocks in Nigeria, making it the first Africa-founded exchange to offer such access to local investors.
For the first time, everyday Nigerians can invest in over 60 leading global stocks and ETFs, directly in Naira, without the complexity of offshore accounts, foreign currency conversions, or waiting for US markets to open.
The launch follows a successful debut in South Africa in July, where more than 10,000 people invested in global companies within the first month. With Nigeria joining the movement, more Africans can now tap into global opportunities, unlocking new pathways to build wealth and strengthen their local economies. The tokenised stocks are fully backed by the real underlying shares, held in regulated custody through global partners including Kraken’s xStocks and Backed Finance. This ensures the product meets the highest standards of security, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
Speaking on the launch of this offering, Ayotunde Alabi, CEO of Luno Nigeria said. “Global markets have always been an exclusive club, but technology now allows us to break down those walls. With tokenised stocks, we’re giving millions of Nigerians a genuine chance to invest in the same world-leading companies - from Apple and Tesla to Nvidia and Microsoft - on equal footing with investors anywhere, in a way that’s simple, transparent, and built for the realities of our market.”
Despite Nigeria’s financial inclusion rate now standing at 74%, less than 5% of adults participate in the capital market, hindered by high entry barriers, and complex access. Foreign currency scarcity and exchange restrictions also slow down access to global markets. Luno’s introduction of tokenised equities directly addresses this gap, enabling everyday Nigerians to invest securely in global opportunities through a single compliance-led platform.
Built on the same intuitive design that made Luno one of the most trusted crypto platforms in Africa, tokenised stocks offer investors:
• Fractional Ownership: Invest in full shares or just a fraction, starting from as little as you choose.
• Instant Settlement: No delays; funds and assets are available immediately.
• 24/5 Access: Buy and sell shares beyond traditional market hours - 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. This will later expand to 24/7, including weekends.
• Single Platform: Seamlessly manage crypto and stocks within one secure app.
This launch builds on Luno’s simplicity, which made crypto investing straightforward for millions, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing secure, accessible financial tools for everyday Africans and cementing its position as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in responsible digital finance innovation.