Moniepoint has released a new case study detailing the digital payment backbone sustaining Nigeria’s vast but often overlooked community nightlife economy, shifting attention from glamorous “Detty December” spectacles to roadside bars, suya joints and neighbourhood lounges that serve millions nightly.
The report titled “The Business of Community Nightlife in Nigeria” draws from transaction data across more than 27,000 clubs, bars and lounges operating on Moniepoint’s payment infrastructure, complemented by field interviews and observational research across multiple cities.
According to the digital payment firm, the report offers a rare, ground-level view of how money, labour, and social life intersect after dark, and forms part of its broader push to deepen data visibility within Nigeria’s informal economy.
While upscale venues during festive peaks reportedly generate daily revenues of up to N360 million, with tables priced at N1.2 million, the report argues that the real economic engine lies in community-based nightlife.
Meanwhile, one of the study’s key findings is the declining role of cash in nightlife transactions. Contrary to trends within the wider informal economy, digital payments now dominate. Bank transfers lead the pack, followed by card payments, while cash is increasingly discouraged due to security risks. According to Moniepoint’s data, transfers outpace card payments by nearly two million transactions during peak nighttime hours across its network.
The timing of spending also reveals distinct operational realities. Transaction volumes begin to rise sharply from 8pm, peak before midnight and then taper off steadily, even when venues remain crowded. By the early hours, purchasing activity has largely wound down.
However, for operators, the most critical hours are between midnight and 6am. These early hours determine staffing adjustments, vendor payments, stock replenishment and overall cash flow management, underscoring the need for instant settlement systems and reliable payment confirmations.
Similarly, employment impact is equally significant. The report estimates that local bars increase workforce capacity by 30-50 per cent on peak nights. Conservative projections suggest that at least 54,000 Nigerians are engaged in nightlife-related labour every night nationwide.
Speaking on the findings, Co-Founder and Group CEO, Tosin Eniolorunda, said the sector deserves broader policy and financial recognition.
“Nigeria’s local bars and night-time operators are not peripheral to the economy, they are a critical part of its architecture. We see a substantial and sustained economic sector that employs hundreds of thousands of Nigerians every night and deserves the same attention we give to agriculture, healthcare, and retail. Our goal is to make sure every one of those businesses has the tools to grow,” he stated.
He added, “From giving credit to finance renovations and sound systems to providing same-day settlement that allows vendors to restock and with tools like Moniebook that power inventory management and reconciliation, Moniepoint is ensuring that this vital artery of the nation’s economy remains viable and empowering.”
Consequently, State-by-state data further highlights the scale and spread of activity. Lagos leads with 4,856 nightlife establishments on the Moniepoint network, followed by the Federal Capital Territory with 2,515. Rivers records 2,362, Delta 1,930, and Edo 1,574.
Interestingly, Katsina leads in nighttime food truck payment value, generating over N130 million in the past year, while Kwara tops transaction count, reinforcing the report’s assertion that Nigeria’s nightlife economy is widely distributed rather than elitist.
The data identifies food as a stabilising force within the sector, with bottled water and meals often outselling beer and spirits in neighbourhood venues, particularly early in the evening.
While on the lending side, bar operators are directing credit requests toward renovations, furniture upgrades, lighting and sound systems with these investments considered crucial in a highly competitive ambience-driven market.
More features such as POS Transfers, dedicated accounts for each terminal and audio-visual payment confirmation systems. Hence, Moniepoint says it is positioning itself at the centre of a digital shift that is redefining how Nigeria spends after dark.
