A beginner-friendly guide to saving, investing, and growing your money with investment apps
In January last year, I didn’t start investing with grand plans or huge capital. I was mostly testing the waters. I downloaded a few finance and investment apps, tried out savings features here, small stock purchases there, and told myself I’d just observe how things went.
Fast-forward to December, and let’s just say I enjoyed my festivities. Some of the money I spent was from returns I had made during the year. That moment changed everything for me. It wasn’t magic or overnight wealth, but it was proof that with the right tools, consistency, and patience, money can work for you.
Now, I’m more intentional — and equipped with more knowledge, I’m putting more women onto investment apps that are easy to use, beginner-friendly, and actually relevant in Nigeria. If you’re looking to save smarter, invest confidently, or diversify your income streams, this list is for you.
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Apps for saving and low-risk growth
These apps are perfect if you’re just starting or want a safe place to grow money while earning interest.
PiggyVest
PiggyVest is one of the most popular savings and investment platforms in Nigeria — and for good reason. It helps you build discipline through automated savings, fixed savings (SafeLock), and target-based goals.
I started monthly savings on PiggyVest, and by the end of the year, I had earned interest on my savings. It was motivating to see my money grow passively, and it made me more disciplined with my financial goals.
You can also access vetted investment opportunities once you’re ready to take things further.
Cowrywise
Cowrywise allows you to save automatically and invest in professionally managed mutual funds. It’s ideal if you want low to medium-risk investments without actively picking stocks yourself.
Kuda
Kuda combines digital banking with smart savings features. You earn interest on your savings while enjoying seamless daily banking, making it great for women who want simplicity.
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Apps for stocks and growth investing
These are for women ready to explore higher returns through stocks — whether short-term or long-term, low to high risk.
Bamboo
Bamboo makes it easy to invest in Nigerian and U.S. stocks and ETFs, even with small amounts. I started with ₦5,000, so you don’t need a lot of money to get started, which makes it beginner-friendly.
Personally, Bamboo is one of the apps I use to buy stocks seamlessly. The interface is clean, transactions are straightforward, and I appreciate that they also provide stock recommendations, which helps when you’re still learning and don’t want to invest blindly.
Chaka
Chaka provides access to both local and international stocks. It’s a solid choice if you want to diversify beyond Nigeria while still keeping things simple.
Trove
Trove allows you to invest in U.S., Nigerian, and Chinese stocks and ETFs. It’s great for women who want wider market exposure and more investment options.
Afrinvest
Afrinvest is a well-established investment firm in Nigeria offering access to stocks, bonds, and wealth management services. It’s ideal if you want a more structured and professional approach to investing in the Nigerian stock market.
Apps for dollar and global diversification
Risevest
Risevest focuses on dollar-denominated investments such as U.S. stocks, real estate, and fixed income assets. It’s especially useful if you want to hedge against inflation and grow wealth in foreign currency over the long term.
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Apps for government-backed and fixed-income investments
I-Invest
I-Invest allows you to invest in treasury bills, FGN bonds, and money market funds with relatively low risk. It’s ideal for conservative investors who prioritise capital preservation.
I’ll be using I-Invest this year, specifically to explore treasury bills, especially as a way to hold money safely while still earning returns.
TradeFi
TradeFi focuses on government securities such as bonds and treasury bills, offering predictable returns with minimal risk.
How to use these apps for your financial goals
You don’t need to use everything at once. A smart approach could look like this:
Start with savings apps to build consistency and an emergency fund.
Add stocks and growth investing apps as you learn and gain confidence.
Balance things out with fixed income or dollar-based investments for stability.
This mix helps you manage risk while still giving your money room to grow.
One thing I’ve learned since I started investing is that it doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. With the right investment apps, consistency matters more than perfection — and starting small is still starting.
As more women take control of their finances, access to information and the right tools make all the difference. It is advisable to conduct thorough research before investing your money in any type of investment.
