PayNuq (Zaria, Nigeria) New

Active
Launched 8 June 2025; listed by Encointer as its second active African community as of 2026. Small scale: ~30 members, 8 merchants at launch, targeting 50+ people and 10 key businesses.

PayNuq is a local community currency in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, running on the Encointer protocol. Members who attend in-person key-signing ceremonies every 10 days receive a community income of roughly 1,000 naira worth of PNQ, intended to cover food and basic needs. It launched on 8 June 2025 with about 30 members and 8 participating small businesses (barbers, farmers, tailors, shopkeepers, restaurants).

Funding
Non-state
https://encointer.org/launching-paynuq-a-new-economy-rooted…
Blockchain

Encointer parachain on Kusama (Polkadot ecosystem)

Social identity

Encointer proof-of-personhood: physical key-signing gatherings at randomised times/places; participants mutually attest each other's presence.

Social mining

Income is minted per participant per 10-day cycle, conditional only on attending the gathering; no work or purchase requirement.

Token economics

~₦1,000 (Nigerian naira) worth of PNQ per member per 10-day cycle. Community Reserve Model: users buy PNQ at ~10% discount, businesses redeem surpluses at ~20% discount; supports interest-free microloans.

Governance

PayNuq Community Team locally; Encointer protocol governance via the Encointer Association and Kusama governance. A local NGO partner was being set up for long-term sustainability.

Verified users
~30 members at launch (June 2025)
Key people

Asyia Aminu (PayNuq community team); Encointer Association (Alain Brenzikofer)

Locations
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Links
Launching PayNuq (Encointer, June 2025)
Encointer — Our Communities
Notes

- Runs on the Encointer platform, which is already listed separately; PayNuq is an independent local community/program.
- Draws on models from Ijara Isin (Kwara State) and the Nyota lending cycle in Tanzania.