Says digitisation is pulling more youths into the stock market
January 19, (THEWILL) — The Group Managing Director of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, Dr. Ike Chioke, has explained that the decision to rename the firm’s digital investment platform from Optimus to PlutusNeo reflects Afrinvest’s long-term digital vision and the evolution of its technology capabilities.
Speaking in a recent interview, Dr. Chioke noted that the rebrand signals the beginning of a more integrated digital wealth ecosystem for the firm.
“PlutusNeo represents the next phase of our digital strategy,” he said. “It brings together our investment and savings offerings in a more unified way, allowing users to access mutual funds, high-yield investment opportunities, and stocks, from a single, easy-to-use interface. What we are building is a platform that integrates the products and services of our securities trading, asset management, trust services, investment research, and capital raising businesses into one connected digital experience.”
He further explained that the platform’s digital approach has broadened access to the capital market, especially among younger investors who prefer self-service tools. In 2025, Afrinvest ranked among the top three brokerage houses by number of CSCS accounts opened.
“Digitisation has brought more young people into the market. We’ve seen significant growth in our online customer base. Today, we have over 600,000 clients in our digital ecosystem, compared to fewer than 20,000 five years ago. We now onboard between 5,000 and 10,000 new users every week,” he said.
Dr. Chioke also highlighted transparency as one of the major advantages of digital trading, noting that it addresses historical concerns that once dampened investor confidence. “Today, trades are executed and reflected immediately across the Nigerian Exchange and the Central Securities Clearing System. You can see your holdings in real time, sell them, or buy more, all directly from your mobile device,” he added.
He further revealed that Afrinvest is also working on additional digital infrastructure that will further enhance the PlutusNeo experience, including payments and lending capabilities. While details will be shared in due course, Dr. Chioke noted that these developments are aimed at supporting users more holistically across their financial journeys.
PlutusNeo is owned by Afrinvest and continues to operate with the same regulatory, governance and professional standards that have defined the firm’s three-decade track record.
THEWILL reports that Afrinvest earlier in the year, announced the rebranding of its digital investment platform, Optimus by Afrinvest, to PlutusNeo, marking the next phase of the firm’s digital strategy focused on expanding access to wealth creation.
The digital platform, first launched in 2022, was created to give individuals secure and easy access to Afrinvest-managed investment products through a modern digital interface. Since launch, it has become a trusted channel for Nigerians seeking professionally managed investment solutions, supported by Afrinvest’s over 30 years of experience across Nigeria’s capital markets. The transition to PlutusNeo reflects the platform’s evolution and Afrinvest’s ambition to build a more integrated digital wealth ecosystem for everyday investors.
The rebrand also aligns the investment platform with broader digital initiatives within the Afrinvest Group, including the planned introduction of payments and lending capabilities designed to support users more holistically across their financial journeys. While the name has changed, the platform’s experience, governance framework, security standards and ownership by Afrinvest remain unchanged.
