In February 2026, Nigerian cryptocurrency startup Zap Africa laid off 44% of its workforce, reducing its team from 18 to 10 employees. This AI-driven restructuring, which began in December 2025, affected roles across design, operations, marketing, and support as the company pivoted to a leaner, automation-focused model to align operating costs with revenue. The move reflects broader pressures in the crypto industry during a prolonged bear market, where startups like Zap Africa are shifting from aggressive growth to capital preservation. The integration of an AI tool, Martha AI, into customer support workflows contributed to the reduction in human roles. The two-year-old Lagos-based startup stated this was a targeted restructuring and not a company-wide layoff, with no further cuts planned.
