Published: April 30, 2026
LemFi, the financial platform built for people who live and work across borders, has committed £100 million to expand its global infrastructure. The company is also designating London as its new global headquarters.
The announcement follows the UK–Nigeria State Visit in March 2026. LemFi’s investment was recognized as part of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership between the two countries.
Diaspora Remittances: User Base Doubles to Over 2 Million
LemFi currently serves more than two million customers worldwide. The platform enables cross-border payments to over 30 countries. It plays a critical role in supporting diaspora communities, especially across Africa, where remittances remain a key driver of economic activity.
By putting its global hub in London, LemFi gains access to the world’s most established financial center. That gives the company better regulatory and capital market exposure to deliver on its mission: fair and accessible financial services for people who move across borders.
From Remittances to Savings, Credit, and Global Accounts
LemFi’s growth has been driven by rising demand from globally mobile communities. The platform started with remittances but has since expanded into credit, savings, and global accounts. As the company scales, it continues to build infrastructure that supports how people actually live and work across borders. The goal is not just helping users move money, but helping them manage and grow their financial lives internationally.
LemFi operates within multiple regulatory frameworks. It holds licenses and approvals in key markets including the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Nigeria, as well as across 14 U.S. states.
What the Founders Say
Ridwan Olalere is the co-founder and CEO of LemFi. He said the company started by solving a real problem for people living across borders, and that mission is now scaling globally. “From our roots in Africa, we’re now serving millions of customers across continents, building financial services that reflect how people actually live and move,” Olalere said. “This next phase is about expanding that impact: reaching more people, across more markets, with products that help them not just send money, but build and grow financially wherever they are.”
Rian Cochran, co-founder and CFO, added that the £100 million commitment is more than just a capital injection. “It is a promise of stability and accessibility,” Cochran said. “By centralizing our global operations in London, we are creating a hub that ensures every corridor we serve, whether in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, benefits from world-class financial infrastructure and a cooperative relationship with local regulators.”
Lemfi’s Hostory and Journey From Inception
LemFi was founded in 2021. More than two million people across Europe and North America now rely on it to send funds to families in more than 30 emerging markets, including China, India, Kenya, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The company has 300+ employees spread across Africa, Europe, and North America. It has raised $85 million from investors including Highland Europe, Left Lane Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, Palm Drive Capital, and Y Combinator.
The £100 million commitment was made possible through the UK-Nigeria Department of Business and Trade as part of the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership. For LemFi, the message is clear: diaspora finance is no longer a side business. It is becoming core infrastructure for the global economy.
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