The Group Managing Director of Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited, Dr. Ike Chioke, has revealed that the firm’s decision to rebrand its digital investment platform from Optimus to PlutusNeo reflects a broader strategic vision aimed at creating an integrated digital wealth ecosystem.
Dr. Chioke, speaking in a recent interview, described the rebrand as a pivotal moment in the company’s digital transformation journey. “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.”
According to the GMD, the platform is designed to integrate products and services across Afrinvest’s securities trading, asset management, trust services, investment research, and capital raising businesses into one seamless digital experience.
Dr. Chioke noted that the platform’s digital-first approach has significantly expanded access to Nigeria’s capital market, particularly among younger, tech-savvy investors who prefer self-service tools. He disclosed that Afrinvest ranked among the top three brokerage houses by the number of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) accounts opened in 2025.
“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 revealed.
He attributed part of this growth to increased transparency in digital trading, which has helped address longstanding investor confidence issues. “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,” Dr. Chioke explained.
Looking ahead, the Afrinvest chief disclosed that the firm is developing additional digital infrastructure to enhance the PlutusNeo experience, including payments and lending capabilities. While specific details remain under wraps, he emphasized that these initiatives are designed to support users more comprehensively across their financial journeys.
PlutusNeo, which is owned by Afrinvest, continues to operate under the regulatory, governance, and professional standards that have characterized the firm’s three-decade track record in Nigeria’s financial services sector.
