On October 20, 2025, Moniepoint released its 2025 Informal Economy Report, a follow-up to its earlier study of Nigeria's informal sector. This new edition takes a more ambitious approach, expanding the research scope and introducing new tools to help stakeholders understand the realities and challenges of informal businesses across the country. The report continues Moniepoint's mission to highlight the critical role that informal enterprises play in Nigeria's economy and to provide actionable insights that can shape inclusive financial and policy interventions.
A major highlight of the 2025 report is the introduction of "M," Moniepoint's new AI-powered chatbot designed to provide direct access to the data behind the report. With this tool, policymakers, regulators, investors, and researchers can ask questions and instantly uncover insights that may not be included in the published document. This innovation represents Moniepoint's effort to make data on Nigeria's informal economy more interactive, accessible, and useful for those driving decisions in finance and development.
The report also provides a clearer picture of how informal businesses are adapting to Nigeria's changing economic conditions. According to the findings, 79 of informal businesses have faced increased costs of operation over the past year. While 65 reported higher revenue, only 47 experienced an increase in profits, signaling that rising expenses are eroding gains and threatening sustainability. These figures reflect the economic pressures faced by small and micro-enterprises, underscoring the need for policies that address inflation, access to credit, and business support systems.
