CredPal’s New Atom App Shifts from BNPL to Investing

CredPal’s New Atom App Shifts from BNPL to Investing
Nigerian fintech company CredPal is expanding beyond Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) with Atom, a new investment platform designed to make investing more accessible.
Launched on October 30, Atom allows users to invest in Nigerian stocks, US-listed securities and more than 300 digital assets. In simple terms, it gives people a place to buy and manage different investments from their phones. Users can also access AI-powered market and portfolio insights to understand how their investments are performing. CredPal says Atom Retail has no minimum deposit, allowing people to start with an amount they can afford.
Another feature allows eligible users to borrow naira against investments without selling them. This could help investors meet urgent expenses while keeping their assets, although borrowing carries risks. If the value of pledged investments falls below required levels, some assets may be sold to recover the loan.
Atom has two offerings. Atom Retail is designed for individuals, while Atom Business provides banks, fintech companies, stockbrokers and wealth managers with technology to offer investment services to their customers.
The launch matters because it marks a change in CredPal’s business direction. The company first became known for helping customers buy products and spread payments over instalments. By entering the investment market, it is seeking a bigger role in customers’ financial lives, from accessing credit to building wealth. CredPal says it has disbursed more than $100 million in credit.
The move also highlights growing competition in Nigeria’s fintech industry. Several digital platforms already offer ways to buy shares and other assets, so Atom must stand out through ease of use, reliable services, competitive fees and customer trust. CredPal is entering a market where participation remains low. The company cited Securities and Exchange Commission figures indicating that fewer than four per cent of Nigerian adults actively invest in the capital market.
Atom could introduce more people to investing, but its success will depend on transparency, regulation and protecting users from avoidable risks. For Nigerian fintech, the launch shows that competition is moving beyond payments and loans towards wider financial services.