ZAP Africa, a Nigerian blockchain company providing secure and convenient solutions for cryptocurrency users, has reduced its workforce by 44% as part of a restructuring effort designed to align operating costs with revenue-generating activities.
The layoffs, which affected roles across design, operations, marketing, and support, reflect the company’s shift toward a leaner, automation-driven model. According to reports, the job cuts began in December 2025, when at least five roles were eliminated. A further round of layoffs in February 2026 affected eight additional positions, according to former employees. The company maintains that no further layoffs are planned.
“Zap Africa implemented a limited restructuring affecting a few roles. This was not a company-wide layoff,” co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Moore Dagogo Hart said.
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“Zap Africa intentionally moved from 18 to 10 as part of an AI-driven efficiency shift,” he added. “What occurred was a targeted internal restructuring as part of our ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency and align the team with our current product and growth priorities.”
At the centre of the restructuring is Martha AI, a tool developed by Dagogo-Hart’s other company, Cognito Systems. The artificial intelligence system has been integrated into Zap Africa’s customer support workflow to manage first-line customer enquiries, according to a former employee who requested anonymity.
“Affected employees were provided with severance support in line with their tenure and contractual terms,” said Dagogo Hart. “There have been no pauses to our core products. Development of our wallet and [crypto] exchange continues as planned. Zap Africa remains operationally stable, with sufficient capital and revenue to continue executing our roadmap.”
The company’s pivot reflects a broader global trend in which organisations are restructuring operations around artificial intelligence. Across fintech and technology sectors, companies are redesigning workflows and reducing headcount as automation reshapes productivity.
In February 2026, Block, U.S. fintech firm behind Square and Cash App, announced plans to eliminate roughly 4,000 roles, nearly 40% of its workforce, while linking the decision to internal AI adoption. CEO Jack Dorsey noted that AI has “changed what it means to build and run a company,” enabling smaller teams to produce more while eliminating tasks once handled by human workers.
Similarly, WiseTech Global, a software logistics firm has announced plans to reduce nearly one-third of its global workforce as part of a two-year AI integration strategy. Company executives say intelligent automation has accelerated internal processes to the extent that fewer employees are required to maintain productivity.
These developments reflect a wider corporate recalibration. Roles in customer service, routine coding, administrative support, and middle management are increasingly vulnerable as AI systems automate core operational functions.
Founded in 2023 by Tobi Asu-Johnson and Moore Dagogo-Hart, ZAP Africa offers a platform that enables users to buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies while maintaining custody of their funds in personal wallets. The company positions itself as a transparent alternative to traditional exchanges by removing third-party custody risks, enabling faster crypto-to-fiat transactions, and maintaining competitive fee structures.
The platform allows traders to convert digital assets such as USDT, BTC, and ETH directly into naira within minutes through an automated settlement system designed to eliminate common peer-to-peer trading delays. Its streamlined interface and instant settlement capabilities have helped position the company as a practical alternative to Binance for Nigerian users seeking reliability, transparent exchange rates, and regulatory awareness.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape organizational structures globally, ZAP Africa’s transition to a smaller, AI-augmented team reflects a strategic effort to balance efficiency, sustainability, and long-term growth in an increasingly automated digital economy.