A new sector report released by Moniepoint Inc. has provided fresh insight into the digital payment systems powering Nigeria’s community nightlife, highlighting how grassroots bars, clubs and food vendors are increasingly relying on technology to manage transactions and sustain growth. The study, titled The Business of Community Nightlife in Nigeria, draws from transaction data across 27,000 nightlife venues and offers a detailed look at how money moves across the country after dark.
While upscale lounges during festive periods often dominate public attention with reports of massive daily earnings, the report suggests that the broader and more consistent economic activity is taking place in neighbourhood establishments. According to the findings, Nigeria’s nightlife sector is rapidly shifting away from cash, largely due to security concerns.
Bank transfers now outpace card payments by nearly two million transactions during peak night hours on the Moniepoint network, while the company’s POS transfer system, which provides instant audio confirmation of payments, has become widely adopted to reduce delays and eliminate disputes over payment verification.
The report also notes operational patterns that shape the sector’s economic cycle. Although nightlife activity can continue until early morning, peak spending occurs much earlier in the night, meaning that key inventory decisions and vendor settlements are often made before dawn.
Lagos leads in the number of venues with 4,856 establishments, but activity is spread across the country. Katsina State recorded the highest payment value for nighttime food trucks, generating over 130 million naira in the past year, while Kwara State led in total transaction volume, reflecting a high frequency of smaller value payments that sustain community nightlife.
Beyond transactions, the study underscores nightlife as a significant source of employment, estimating that at least 54,000 people are engaged in nightlife related work every night nationwide, with many venues increasing their workforce by up to 50 percent on weekends.
Tosin Eniolorunda, co founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc., said the sector deserves strategic recognition similar to agriculture and healthcare, adding that access to credit and same day settlement systems can help operators restock quickly and invest in better equipment. The report found that many loan requests from bar owners are targeted at ambience upgrades such as lighting, furniture and sound systems rather than basic working capital.
Technology analysts say the findings confirm that Nigeria’s nightlife is evolving into a structured, digitally enabled industry rather than a loosely organised informal activity. The steady shift from cash to digital transfers is expanding financial inclusion by bringing small scale vendors into the formal financial system. However, the study also observed that spending often slows between midnight and dawn even when venues remain full, suggesting the need for better data tools to help operators manage customer flow and maximise revenue as the sector continues to professionalise.