Airvend Payment Services Limited, a Central Bank of Nigeria licensed fintech company providing digital payment solutions, has been named among the BusinessDay Top 100 Fastest Growing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria by 2025, placing it among businesses renowned for growth performance, innovation and market relevance within the financial services sector.
AirVend operates as a payment solutions service provider, offering products designed to support digital transactions across multiple channels. Its portfolio includes *AirVend, AirPay, 174# USSD and AirGate, which collectively enable seamless payment processing for individuals and businesses, including specialized payment solutions for airline ticketing, ancillary services and travel-related transactions. The company's operations are focused on expanding access to digital financial services, while helping Nigeria move towards a cashless economy, with capabilities tailored for high-volume, real-time payment environments such as the aviation sector.
The company is led by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Precious Chidozie Ekezie, who oversees Airvend's operations and strategic direction. In this role, AKZ is responsible for ensuring coordination between teams, strengthening internal systems, and aligning product development with market needs. He is known for his interest in fintech innovation and digital transformation, applying expertise in artificial intelligence, project management, consulting, technology negotiations and digital currency to drive organizational growth.
Ekezie began his industrial career at the Nigerian Navy Naval Dockyard, an experience that contributed to his leadership discipline and operational approach. She holds an MBA from Nexford University with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence, where her studies focused on applying AI to business challenges and opportunities.
He has also played an important role in the development and expansion of technology enterprises. Ekezie co-founded MadeSuite Technologies, a digital branding and IT company, which was selected among the Tony Elumelu Foundation's 1,000 Best Startups in Africa in 2017, and was later named among the Top 100 Startups Globally to represent Nigeria in Istanbul, Turkey in 2019. He played a key role in driving strategic growth initiatives that strengthened market position and operational capabilities. He is an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a member of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), reflecting his inter-disciplinary expertise in finance, technology and innovation.
At Airvend, AKZ has led efforts to build partnerships with both local and international technology companies and mobile network operators. According to the company, these collaborations have contributed to transaction volume and revenue growth. He also led the team that secured regulatory licenses from the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate as a Payment Solutions Service Provider, Payment Terminal Service Provider and Super Agent, enabling Airvend to expand its service offering within Nigeria's regulated financial ecosystem.
The BusinessDay Top 100 Fastest Growing SMEs ranking is based on criteria including revenue growth, scalability, innovation, market expansion and business sustainability. AirVend's inclusion reflects its operational progress and involvement in Nigeria's fintech and digital payments landscape.
Airvend said it will continue to strengthen its technology infrastructure, deepen partnerships and expand its payment solutions, while maintaining a focus on compliance, innovation and customer trust while scaling its operations.
