LemFi selects London as global HQ, commits £100m investment

By Parth Prabhudesai

LemFi, a Nigerian-founded FinTech focused on financial services for immigrant communities, has announced London as its new global headquarters, alongside a planned £100 million investment in the UK over the next five years.

Founded in 2021 by former Opay executives Ridwan Olalere and Rian Cochran, LemFi initially built its platform around remittances, enabling more than two million users across Europe and North America to send money to over 20 emerging markets. The move to London signals a strategic shift toward building a broader, full-stack financial ecosystem for globally mobile users.

The company said its decision reflects London’s position as a leading global FintTech hub, offering access to capital, talent, and a supportive regulatory environment. Since early 2025, LemFi has already expanded its UK workforce by more than 60% and expects to more than double its headcount to around 150 employees by the end of the year.

“The UK is arguably the most important FinTech hub for the global economy, and we believe our £100 million commitment will be one of the best investments we have ever made,” said Rian Cochran, Co-founder and CFO. “London gives us the regulatory environment and capital access to build a full-stack financial platform for globally mobile communities.”

The investment comes as LemFi continues to broaden its product suite beyond remittances. The company recently acquired UK-based FinTech Pillar to strengthen its credit capabilities and has also secured regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Ireland to acquire Bureau Buttercrane, providing access to the European Economic Area.

“Our London hub will be central to our next phase of growth,” said Ridwan Olalere, Co-founder and CEO. “From here, we’re building the infrastructure to serve customers across Europe, North America and beyond.”

The expansion highlights a growing trend among FinTech firms targeting cross-border financial services, as demand rises for seamless, accessible solutions tailored to increasingly global and mobile populations.