TymeBank Hits Unicorn Status with USD 250M Boost

• TymeBank raises USD 250 million in funding, pushing its valuation to USD 1.5 billion.
• Nubank led the round, showing global confidence in Africa’s rising fintech sector.
• The bank aims to scale its digital-first services across underserved African markets.

TymeBank’s USD 250M Leap into Unicorn Glory

Africa’s fintech scene has crowned its latest unicorn: TymeBank. The South African digital bank raised a hefty USD 250 million in its latest funding round, led by fintech giant Nubank. This milestone propels TymeBank’s valuation to USD 1.5 billion, cementing its position as one of Africa’s top digital-first banks.

Launched in 2019, TymeBank has built its name by combining affordability and accessibility to meet the needs of everyday Africans. With a laser focus on the underserved, the bank already serves 7.5 million customers through seamless digital platforms and partnerships with local retailers.

“Since the beginning of Nubank, we have believed that the future of financial services globally is of digitally-native companies. We have met dozens of teams across different geographies, and we think that Tyme Group is extremely well-positioned to be one of the digital bank leaders in Africa and South East Asia.”

David Vélez, Nubank Founder and CEO

While traditional banks hold the lion’s share of Africa’s market, TymeBank’s innovative, branchless model offers a zero-fee entry point that is hard to beat. Competitors like Nigeria’s Kuda Bank and Kenya’s M-Pesa are still in play. But, TymeBank’s edge lies in its focus on delivering simple, scalable solutions with global backing.

A Game-Changer for African Financial Inclusion

Africa is home to over 350 million unbanked adults—that’s roughly 57% of the population. This massive gap in financial inclusion is both a challenge and an opportunity. TymeBank’s rapid rise shows that fintech solutions can bring millions into the financial system.

The funding round, led by Nubank—a global fintech powerhouse with over 85 million customers—highlights Africa’s growing appeal to international investors. As global attention shifts to emerging markets, the continent’s fintech sector is proving to be a key driver of economic growth.

This aligns with a broader trend: Africa’s digital banking market is expected to hit USD 65 billion by 2030, according to McKinsey & Co. TymeBank is riding this wave, using technology to make banking faster, cheaper, and more accessible.

Building Africa’s Financial Future

With USD 250 million in fresh funding, TymeBank is gearing up to scale its operations across South Africa and beyond. Expansion into other African markets is on the horizon, with the company eyeing regions where financial infrastructure is still underdeveloped.

This success story is about more than numbers. By focusing on inclusivity, TymeBank empowers small businesses, individuals, and rural communities to access essential financial services. The bank’s technology-driven approach—low fees, easy onboarding, and real-time transactions—will contribute to Africans’ ongoing transformative interaction with money.

As investor confidence soars, TymeBank stands as a symbol of Africa’s potential to innovate and solve local challenges. The USD 1.5 billion valuation is a signal that Africa’s fintech unicorns are here to stay—and they’re just getting started.