Nigerian fintechs partner to unlock study abroad opportunities for African students

Pay4Me, a fintech platform focused on international students, has partnered with Edubanc, an education finance company, to provide affordable funding options for Nigerian and other African students pursuing education abroad.

The partnership is designed to address a common financial gap many students face, paying for critical pre-departure expenses such as SEVIS fees, visa processing and IHS fees, housing deposits, and flight tickets. These costs often fall outside traditional student loans or scholarships.

Through the partnership, Pay4Me will screen applicants using its internal tools and refer qualified students to Edubanc for a full financing assessment, approval, and funding.

“Many students can secure admission and even partial scholarships, but still struggle to pay critical upfront costs like SEVIS or visa fees,” said Sunday Paul Adah, founder and CEO of Pay4Me.

“This partnership with Edubanc fills that gap and gives students and their families the breathing room they need to start their journey without unnecessary delays or stress.”

The model uses local-currency financing with the support of co-signers, reducing the impact of currency fluctuations and simplifying cross-border payments. It also creates financing opportunities for families that may be excluded from traditional options.

With interest in international education growing among African students, the Pay4Me–Edubanc approach offers a tech-based model that can be scaled across different markets and student segments. Plans include platform integrations and partnerships with education providers.

“We see this as more than just a partnership; we see it as a movement,” said Damian Umeasala, general manager of Business Development and Finance at Edubanc.

“Together with Pay4Me, we’re making it possible for hardworking, high-performing students from across Nigeria and beyond to access the funding they need to pursue life-changing opportunities. The ripple effects will touch families and communities for generations.”