One Universe launches escrow-backed marketplace to formalise Nigeria’s informal service economy
One Universe has launched a digital marketplace aimed at improving trust, payments and service delivery in Nigeria’s largely informal service economy, as platforms race to formalise transactions and expand financial inclusion.
One Universe has launched a digital marketplace aimed at improving trust, payments and service delivery in Nigeria’s largely informal service economy, as platforms race to formalise transactions and expand financial inclusion.
The company said its mobile application, now available on major app stores, connects users with verified service providers, enabling them to negotiate jobs, agree on pricing and timelines, and complete payments within a single platform.
Nigeria’s service sector, which accounts for more than 90 percent of employment, remains heavily fragmented and cash-driven, with limited consumer protection and weak trust systems. One Universe said its platform seeks to address these gaps by introducing identity verification, structured engagement and secure payment infrastructure.
A central feature of the platform is an escrow-based payment system that holds funds until services are delivered and confirmed, reducing the risk of fraud for both customers and providers. All users are verified through national identity systems to strengthen accountability.
The company has also embedded financial services into the platform through partnerships with licensed institutions, offering options such as pay-later services, microloans and business support tools for service providers.
These features are designed to help informal workers build transaction histories and access financing, while allowing users to obtain urgent services without immediate full payment.
To drive adoption, One Universe introduced a Recruiter Program that rewards users for onboarding new customers and service providers, leveraging a community-driven growth model to scale its network.
The platform, which is already live nationwide, said it supports tens of thousands of users and service professionals, positioning itself as infrastructure for trusted service delivery and digital work.
Such models could help formalise Nigeria’s informal economy by digitising payments and improving transparency, though long-term success will depend on user trust, execution and regulatory alignment.
