Fintech founder transforms global money transfers with WhatsApp-first platform that makes payments as simple as sending a message.
John Onifade is redefining how money moves across borders through an idea that began with personal frustration and a simple question: what if sending money could feel as natural as conversation?
The inspiration struck late one night in London. After yet another failed attempt to send funds to Nigeria—delayed transfers, hidden exchange rates, and high fees—Onifade received a message from his mother asking about the delay. It was in that moment that he realized: the place where people already connect, share, and build trust is chat. Why not make that the place where financial services live too?
That realization became Sweftly, a chat-first global payments platform. Instead of forcing people to download apps, fill out endless forms, or navigate banking portals, Sweftly embeds payments inside the conversations people already have. Whether it’s a freelancer in Lagos invoicing a client in London, a small business in Abuja paying a supplier in Shanghai, or a family abroad sending support home, the process is reduced to a few simple messages.
Onifade didn’t set out to build another fintech app. His approach is different: leverage AI and automation to make financial services accessible in their most natural environment—chat. Behind the scenes, Sweftly connects users with trusted partners for settlement, compliance, and FX, while the front-end experience remains as simple as a message. A user can type “Send $500 to Nairobi,” upload an invoice, or ask for the best rate, and the system takes care of the rest.
The first live transaction proved the power of the model. A UK-based user completed a transfer to Nigeria without ever leaving chat. No app installs, no hidden charges, no delays. The feedback was immediate: “Sweftly makes sending money home as easy as messaging my mum.” Businesses quickly saw the impact too: “I pay suppliers abroad just by sharing invoices in chat. It saves time and removes stress.”
What began with remittances has expanded to serve a wider range of needs. Sweftly now enables both individuals and SMEs to move funds across key global corridors, helping diaspora families, entrepreneurs, and businesses overcome the friction of traditional banking rails.
The vision for the future is even bigger. Sweftly is building programmable, conversational infrastructure for finance. The roadmap includes stablecoin settlement for faster and cheaper cross-border transactions, white-label solutions so partners can deploy their own chat-first agents, and APIs that allow communities to integrate Sweftly’s technology into their workflows. Over time, Sweftly aims to become the infrastructure layer for financial conversations worldwide—the Stripe and OpenAI of payments combined.
For Onifade, the mission goes beyond technology. It’s about creating financial access where people already live their digital lives. His philosophy is simple: money should move at the speed of trust. And today, that trust lives in chat.
Get Involved with Sweftly Today
If you’re tired of traditional, complicated cross-border payment methods, Sweftly offers a smarter, simpler alternative. Whether you’re an individual looking to send money home or a small business navigating international payments, Sweftly’s transparent and seamless platform can help you save time and money. Explore the future of payments and join the conversation at Sweftly’s website, or get a closer look at his journey on Instagram.
