TOP CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS IN NIGERIA
Is it true that your greatness is not what you have, but what you give? I think you may be wondering whether to agree or disagree. Perhaps, you may wish to ask me that how would I give if I do not have. But then, may I ask you to re-read what I posed earlier — your greatness is not what you have, but what you give. Actually, what I meant was not to question acquisition/possession nor justify charity. Instead, I simply asked, is it true that you are blessed when you give or you are blessed when you receive? Your answer then determines where greatness lies.
Even though giving may have been bastardized, if we can remember that “in love we serve one another”, we may be encouraged to continue giving nevertheless. Nothing less than love stirred the heart of France’s citizens to serve citizens of the United States in funding the great Stature of Liberty. Nigerians, likewise, are promoting the act of giving, such that several crowdfunding platforms are in emergence across the nation — and this ought to be encouraged en masse.
Crowdfunding is the process of raising funds to finance a project or business from the public through an online platform. It permits anybody to raise money for any idea that ranges from education to business, careers, medicals, politics, entertainment, community, etc. In a climate where banks are either unable to or unwilling to lend money, the idea of crowdfunding may serve as a strong alternative peradventure it is promoted.
Ajoo.ng is a platform that is currently building a community where people with critical financial needs get the necessary assistance from well-meaning Nigerians. These financial need ranges from a sick individual seeking assistance, entrepreneurs finding non-equitable funds and non-profits gaining support from people with small donations. Beyond raising money, Ajoo.ng tries to maintain the integrity of campaigns put up on their platform through the company’s volunteers spread across the nation. Donation in Ajoo is reward-based — the donors get something back from the campaigner in return for their donation excluding shares, ownership claim, financial repayment and equity.
Crowdfunding platforms in Nigeria has further expanded its scope. There are crowdfunding companies that help to finance businesses in the agricultural sector. Farmcrowdy.com provides structured financing and credit to farmers across several agricultural value chains. Since the inception of the company in 2016, this platform has been able to raise 15 Million USD for 25,000 small-scale farmers across Nigeria. This platform has made it possible for people to donate in agricultural businesses.
Naijafund.com is a crowdfunding platform that has over twenty-five campaign categories, but popular categories include: Medical, Education and Business. With Naijafund.com, users are exposed to philanthropic individuals and organizations that they ordinarily wouldn’t have had access to. Since inception, the crowdfunding service has also been able to facilitate people in making contributions towards a common goal.
Donate-ng.com is another online fundraising and crowdfunding portal in Nigeria where individuals and charities with causes and projects can easily raise funds. Their focus and goal are to ensure no huge cause goes unfunded.
Quickraiz.com aims at connecting fundraisers with potential donors by providing an easy and secure online environment to raise and donate money. Its go-to platform is available for fundraising by individuals, schools, hospitals/health centres, communities, etc.
Conclusively, “there is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up” — This saying is a clarion call to you and I that we should support crowdfunding platforms in Nigeria.
