How to Invest in Funds and ETFs with nsave for People from Nigeria
Introduction
This guide explains how to invest in funds and ETFs with the nsave app so you can grow your wealth steadily, protect your savings from inflation, and still cash out to your local NGN account when needed. By the end, you’ll understand what funds and ETFs are, how they earn you money, and how to start investing as someone from Nigeria living or working abroad.
What are Funds and ETFs
ETFs in simple terms
An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a collection of many investments — such as stocks or bonds — that you can buy as a single share. Most ETFs are passive, which means they simply track a market index like the S&P 500 (a group of 500 major US companies).
How you earn from ETFs
- Dividends or interest — If the ETF holds dividend-paying stocks or bonds, it pays you a portion of that income.
- Price growth — When the value of the stocks or bonds in the ETF rises, the ETF price increases too.
Funds in simple terms
A fund (also called an actively managed fund or mutual fund) is similar to an ETF, but instead of following an index, it’s managed by professional investors. They research, buy, and sell individual stocks or bonds with the goal of beating the market rather than just tracking it.
How you earn from funds
- Dividends or interest — You may receive income from the fund’s holdings.
- Active management gains — The fund manager aims to outperform the market by choosing high-quality companies or timing investments well.
- Price growth — If the value of the fund’s investments increases, your shares become more valuable.
Key difference
- ETFs are usually lower cost and passively managed — they follow a specific index.
- Funds are actively managed by professionals and often have higher fees because you’re paying for expert management.
ETFs aim to match the market’s performance, while funds aim to beat it.
Why it matters
If you are from Nigeria and saving in USD or other foreign currencies as a freelancer, remote worker, or business owner, your money can lose value over time due to inflation or exchange rate changes.
Investing in funds and ETFs helps you
- Protect your savings from inflation by earning returns that grow over time.
- Grow your wealth through exposure to global markets and top companies.
- Distribute risk by spreading your investment across many stocks instead of betting on one.
Both funds and ETFs are easy ways to diversify your portfolio and build wealth steadily. Even if you’re just starting with small amounts.
Get easy fund and ETF exposure with nsave
With nsave, people from Nigeria can
- Invest in professionally managed funds and global ETFs in just a few taps.
- Start investing with fractional purchases from just 1 dollar.
- Hold funds in USD for international diversification and convert back to NGN anytime.
- Send money home to NGN for only 1 dollar, including bKash, Nagad, or any local bank account.
- Track performance in-app and mix funds, ETFs, and gold for a balanced investment strategy.
Step by Step Guide
1 Get started download sign up and verify in one go
Download nsave from the App Store or Google Play. Create your account with your email or phone number and verify your identity using your passport or ID to unlock investing. This takes just a few minutes.
2 Add funds USD or local currency
Deposit money into your nsave account using the available methods. You can hold your balance in USD to invest globally and convert back to NGN whenever you need to.
3 Find Funds and ETFs in the Invest tab with examples
Open the Invest tab and search Funds or ETFs.
You’ll see product cards with details like performance, risk level, and management style.
Examples of products you might find include
- SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) a low-cost ETF that tracks the top US companies
- iShares Core MSCI World ETF (URTH) a globally diversified ETF
- Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) an actively managed fund investing in leading global stocks
- T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX) a fund managed by experts focusing on large, growing companies
Availability depends on your region, so always check which funds and ETFs are currently listed in the nsave app.
4 Buy fractional units start from 1 dollar
Enter the amount you want to invest starting from just 1 dollar and confirm your order. You now own a share of a professionally managed or index-based fund — no large minimums required.
5 Track rebalance and cash out to NGN
Follow your investments directly in your nsave portfolio. Rebalance between funds, ETFs, gold, and cash as your goals evolve. When you need to send money home, sell anytime and transfer to NGN for only 1 dollar to bKash, Nagad, or a bank account in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1 What is the main difference between funds and ETFs
ETFs track an index automatically and usually have lower fees. Funds are managed by professionals who select stocks and try to outperform the market, often with higher fees.
2 Why invest in funds and ETFs if I’m from Nigeria
They help you grow your savings globally, reduce risk, and protect against inflation or local currency depreciation.
3 Do these investments pay income
Yes, some funds and ETFs pay dividends or interest that you can reinvest or withdraw.
4 Are funds riskier than ETFs
Both involve market risk, but actively managed funds can take more concentrated positions in certain companies or sectors, which may increase risk but also potential returns.
5 What are the fees
nsave shows all fees transparently before you invest. ETFs typically have lower fees, while actively managed funds charge more for expert management. Sending money to NGN costs 1 dollar per transfer.
6 Can I start small
Yes. You can start investing with just 1 dollar and build your portfolio gradually.
7 Can I sell anytime
Yes, you can sell during market hours. The proceeds will appear in your nsave balance, ready to send home to NGN.
8 Is this Shariah compliant
Some ETFs and funds are structured to meet Shariah guidelines. You can check this in each product’s Key Information or Prospectus in the app.
9 What risks should I be aware of
Both funds and ETFs fluctuate with the market. Actively managed funds depend on manager performance, while ETFs follow overall market trends.
10 Are there taxes
Tax rules vary by your country of residence. nsave provides statements to help with reporting, but you should consult a local tax adviser for personal guidance.
Conclusion
Investing in funds and ETFs with nsave gives people from Nigeria a simple, modern, and transparent way to grow long-term wealth. Whether you want expert management through funds or low-cost diversification with ETFs, you can start from 1 dollar, track performance in-app, and send your funds home to NGN for only 1 dollar whenever you need to.
Grow your wealth with funds and ETFs on nsave.
