Nigerian technology company, Termii, has been ranked number one in the media and telecommunications category and 10th overall on the 2025 Financial Times list of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies. The report, released on Thursday, was put together by the Financial Times in partnership with global research company, Statista, and highlights African companies that are growing fast and making strong impact through innovation and revenue.
Termii, which started in Nigeria, is known for providing secure messaging, cross-border SIM services, and identity verification tools to help businesses communicate with their customers. The company said it delivers over two billion customer interactions every year through platforms like SMS, voice calls, email, and WhatsApp. It also said it supports more than 16,000 businesses within and outside Africa, helping them to build trust and stay connected with their customers.
The Chief Executive Officer of Termii, Emmanuel Gbolade, said the recognition means a lot to the company and to Africa in general. According to him, “This isn’t just a milestone for us; it is proof that Africa is capable of building the infrastructure the world needs — fast, secure, and built for scale.”
He added that the company’s fast growth is a result of new services like Sotel, which offers both eSIM and global SIM services, and Termii Agent, an artificial intelligence-powered customer support platform. These products are helping businesses, especially in Africa, improve customer care and access to digital services.
Termii, which started as a small startup focused on solving communication problems for African companies, now operates in several countries including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Ghana, and the United States. The company said it plans to enter Francophone African countries and other developing markets within the next one year as it continues to expand.
In addition to its core services, Termii said it is working to improve telecom infrastructure on the continent, a space mostly occupied by large foreign companies. The goal, according to Gbolade, is to provide African businesses with tools that are simple, affordable, and suitable for the local environment.
The 2025 FT ranking focused on businesses that showed strong revenue growth between 2019 and 2022. Termii’s high ranking on the list has drawn attention to the role Nigerian tech companies are playing in building Africa’s digital economy.
Analysts say Termii’s success is a sign that Nigerian software infrastructure companies are now gaining international respect. As more companies move towards secure and remote customer service, experts believe startups like Termii will play a big role in helping them scale operations across borders.
They also noted that Termii’s move into telecom infrastructure, through products like Sotel, could challenge big telecom companies by offering local solutions that are better suited for small businesses in Africa.
Founded by Emmanuel Gbolade and his team in Lagos, Termii has quietly grown into one of the most respected tech firms on the continent. Its focus on security, speed, and simplicity has made it attractive to both small businesses and large enterprises looking for ways to connect with customers without stress.
The company said it will continue to invest in research and development, and hopes to create more jobs and opportunities for young African tech talents as it grows.
