Paystack has opened applications for Small Business Launchpad, a four-week intensive programme aimed at active merchants running small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria. The first cohort begins on 27 August 2026 and will take up to 50 selected companies.
The initiative sits inside a broader push by the Stripe-owned payments company to support merchants beyond processing transactions. In June, Paystack introduced the Small Business Bundle, which offered eligible Nigerian businesses access to discounts of up to ₦4 million on tools spanning bookkeeping, logistics, e-commerce, design and workspace. Launchpad moves that support into structured learning, expert access and ongoing community.
Participants will work through practical clinics, expert office hours and direct Paystack support focused on everyday operational realities: customer acquisition, cash flow, systems and growth. After completing the programme they receive three months of free payment processing, capped at ₦25 million in volume, plus product benefits and early access opportunities. A community continues after the formal four weeks end.
Eligible applicants must be active Paystack merchants in Nigeria operating an SME. Selected businesses pay a ₦150,000 participation fee and commit to the full programme. Sessions will be led by experienced operators and specialists, including Babajide Duroshola (Managing Director, Nigeria at M-KOPA), Luther Lawoyin (co-founder of Pricepally), Nana Abu (Senior Manager at KPMG), Kenny Isichei of Bumpa, and Jumoke Dada (founder of Taéillo).
“Small business owners are making decisions every day about customers, cash flow, operations and growth, often with limited time and support,” said Jumoke Gbeleyi, Strategy and Operations leader at Paystack. “Launchpad gives us a practical way to work more closely with the merchants building on Paystack, connect them with experienced operators, and help them leave with stronger systems, relevant networks and actions they can apply immediately. We want the programme to be useful from day one, not theoretical.”
Nigeria’s small-business landscape remains challenging. High operating costs, currency volatility, limited access to structured advisory and fragmented tool stacks continue to constrain growth for many merchants who already process payments digitally. By combining discounted tools, expert clinics and post-programme processing incentives, Paystack is attempting to reduce friction at several points in the merchant journey rather than treating payments as a standalone product.
The company has framed Launchpad as the next layer of a longer-term merchant support strategy. For now the programme is limited to Nigeria, with additional cohorts planned later. Applications are open to active Paystack merchants who meet the eligibility criteria.
Whether the four-week format delivers measurable improvements in systems, cash-flow discipline or customer acquisition will depend on cohort selection, the quality of the clinics, and how effectively participants apply the guidance once the formal programme ends. For a payments company whose core business depends on merchant success, the incentive to get it right is clear.
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