Startup NativeID launches tool to help Nigerian businesses fight impersonation scams

Nigerian startup NativeID has launched a free digital identity platform designed to help small businesses protect themselves from impersonation and fraud across social media.

The platform allows businesses to combine their contact details, social media accounts and physical locations into a single verified page that customers can easily access through a shareable link or QR code.

The launch comes as many Nigerian businesses struggle with scammers who create fake accounts online using similar names and contact details to deceive customers.

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NativeID said the problem is often caused by fragmented business identities spread across platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp and Google Business listings, making it difficult for customers to know which account is genuine.

“Imagine a customer trying to reach a business. They may find one phone number on Instagram, another on a flyer and an old address on Google. Sometimes there are even multiple social media accounts with the same name,” said Esther Ukachi, product manager at NativeID.

According to the company, such confusion creates opportunities for fraudsters to pose as legitimate businesses and collect payments from unsuspecting customers.

NativeID’s platform aims to solve the problem by giving businesses a single online identity page that gathers all verified contact information in one place.

The page includes direct action buttons that allow customers to call, send emails or visit a website instantly, while QR codes allow quick access through a smartphone scan

Businesses can also list multiple branches on the same profile, helping customers confirm locations and contact details more easily.

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Ukachi said the issue is not always about marketing or product quality but about access to the correct business identity.

“Across Nigeria and beyond, many businesses still share their identity in pieces across chats and social media bios. As teams grow, this creates confusion and delays that can lead to lost trust,” she said.

NativeID said businesses can set up the digital identity page in less than two minutes and the service is currently free for both individuals and companies.

The startup said it aims to build a trusted digital identity layer for businesses as Nigeria’s online economy expands and more transactions move to social media platform.