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Paystack has announced the launch of its Small Business Launchpad, a four-week programme for Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises. The company said the initiative, unveiled in Lagos today, is open to active Paystack merchants and will admit up to 50 businesses to its first cohort, scheduled to begin on 27 August 2026.

According to Paystack, the programme will include business clinics, expert office hours, priority Paystack support, and three months of free payment processing, capped at ₦25 million, for participants who complete the programme. The company said sessions will address operational issues for SMEs, including customer acquisition, cash flow management, business systems, and growth strategies. The sessions will be led by founders, senior operators, finance specialists, and business leaders with experience supporting growing businesses.

The Small Business Launchpad follows other SME-focused initiatives by Paystack. In June, the payments company introduced the Paystack Small Business Bundle, which it said offers eligible merchants discounted products and services from partner organisations. Paystack said the new programme is intended to provide practical learning, access to experts, community engagement and guidance for founders and operators.

Active Paystack merchants operating small or medium-sized businesses in Nigeria are eligible to apply, the company said in a statement, adding that it will review submissions to confirm eligibility. Selected merchants will be required to commit to the full programme and pay a ₦150,000 participation fee.

“Small business owners are making decisions every day about customers, cash flow, operations and growth, often with limited time and support,” said Jumoke Gbeleyi, Strategy and Operations leader at Paystack. “Launchpad gives us a practical way to work more closely with the merchants building on Paystack, connect them with experienced operators, and help them leave with stronger systems, relevant networks and actions they can apply immediately. We want the programme to be useful from day one, not theoretical.”

Paystack said the first cohort will include sessions led by Babajide Duroshola, Managing Director, Nigeria, at M KOPA; Luther Lawoyin, co founder of Pricepally; Nana Abu, Senior Manager at KPMG; Kenny Isichei of Bumpa; and Jumoke Dada, Founder of Taéillo. The sessions will cover customer acquisition strategies, financial structuring, operational systems and lessons from operators with experience building businesses in Nigeria.

Participants will also receive product benefits and early access opportunities on its platform, as well as continued access to the Launchpad community after the programme ends.

The Small Business Launchpad will begin with a Nigeria-focused cohort. Paystack said it plans to run additional cohorts in the future. Applications for the first cohort are open to eligible merchants.

Paystack says it provides online and offline payment solutions to more than 300,000 organisations across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire, including startups, enterprises and government agencies.