How Nigerians can invest in SpaceX IPO at $135 per share

SpaceX’s long-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) has drawn global attention from investors after reports that the private aerospace company has set a reference price of $135 per share.

The offering is expected to raise about $75 billion through the sale of more than 555 million shares, which marks one of the largest IPOs in history if fully completed.

The development has triggered interest from retail investors worldwide, including in Nigeria, where growing access to global stock markets is making it increasingly possible for individuals to gain exposure to high-profile U.S. listings such as SpaceX.

Nigerian investors’ interest has increased as they are exploring multiple routes to participate in the listing. Several digital investment platforms operating across Africa and global brokerage apps are expected to provide varying degrees of access.

Platforms such as Bamboo and Risevest allow Nigerian users to invest in US equities through partner brokerages, with access to IPOs once shares begin trading.

Meanwhile, Hisa (formerly Chaka) offers Naira-funded accounts and access to US markets through its SEC-licensed pan-African structure. Some users are also exploring crypto-linked exposure via exchanges like Bitget, which provide derivative tokens tracking pre-IPO sentiment.

Global brokerages, including Robinhood, Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab, SoFi, and E*Trade, are expected to participate in allocation for retail investors, though eligibility rules and allocation sizes vary widely.

Can Nigerians invest in SpaceX?

For Nigerian investors, direct participation in a U.S. IPO such as SpaceX is not as straightforward as buying shares on the Nigerian Exchange Group(NGX).

Access typically comes through international brokerage platforms, fractional investing apps, or secondary market investment vehicles that provide exposure to pre-IPO or newly listed U.S. stocks.

However, eligibility depends on the platform, regulatory restrictions, and whether shares are available to non-U.S. retail investors at listing.

Read also: IMF warns Nigeria against reliance on hot money as foreign inflows surge

Platforms Nigerians can use to invest in SpaceX (directly or indirectly)

While availability may vary at the time of listing, these platforms are commonly used by Nigerian investors to access global equities:

Bamboo
A popular Nigerian fintech investment app that provides access to U.S. stocks and ETFs. If SpaceX becomes publicly listed on supported exchanges, it could be available through Bamboo.

Trove Finance
Trove allows Nigerians to invest in U.S., Chinese, and Nigerian stocks. It is one of the more established entry points for retail investors looking at global IPOs post-listing.

Chaka
Chaka provides access to thousands of global stocks and ETFs. It also integrates with U.S. brokerage infrastructure, making it a potential route for exposure once SpaceX is publicly tradable.

Risevest
Risevest focuses on managed portfolios rather than direct stock picking. Users may gain indirect exposure if SpaceX becomes part of broader U.S. equity portfolios or funds.

Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
A global brokerage platform offering direct access to U.S. markets, often used by more experienced investors. It provides the widest access but requires higher investment, knowledge, and compliance with international funding rules.

DriveWealth-powered apps
Several African investment platforms operate through DriveWealth, a U.S. brokerage infrastructure provider. This enables fractional investing in U.S. stocks where available.

Secondary pre-IPO marketplaces (limited access)
Platforms such as EquityZen and Forge Global sometimes offer access to pre-IPO shares of private companies. However, these are typically restricted to accredited investors and may not be accessible to most retail users in Nigeria.

What investors should know
Even with rising access, investing in a high-profile IPO like SpaceX comes with important constraints. IPO allocations are often limited and prioritised for institutional investors, and retail access may only come after the stock begins public trading.

Prices can be highly volatile in the early days of listing, and regulatory and currency conversion risks apply for Nigerian investors

The bigger picture
If SpaceX completes its IPO at the reported valuation, it would become one of the most closely watched public listings in tech and aerospace history.
Still, analysts caution that excitement around high-profile IPOs often leads to speculative trading, and investors should focus on long-term fundamentals rather than hype-driven demand.