My Review on Mint App: Is It Right for Nigerians?
By Uche Kalu
Do you know how frustrating it can be when your money seems to vanish into thin air? One minute you have ₦100,000 in your account, and the next, you can’t point to anything tangible. That was me some months ago, until I decided to take my finances more seriously. A friend casually mentioned Mint, a financial management and budgeting app, and I thought, "Why not give it a try?" After using it for a while, I have plenty to say—both good and bad. So, if you’re wondering whether Mint is worth your time, this review is for you.
Ease of Use
Mint is sleek, no doubt. The interface is clean, and the app feels professional. It’s not one of those apps that look like they were designed in 2005. When I logged in for the first time, everything seemed straightforward. You can sync your bank accounts, credit cards, and even investments. It automatically tracks your expenses and categorizes them—pure bliss, abi?
But here’s the thing: Mint is not perfect, especially for us Nigerians. Most of the app’s features are tailor-made for the U.S. market. For instance, the app couldn’t connect to my Nigerian bank account. I use GTBank and Access Bank, and Mint doesn’t have compatibility with Nigerian banks or mobile money wallets. This part was a big letdown because I had to manually input my expenses. It felt like going back to primary school arithmetic class, jotting down everything I spent, from jollof rice to Bolt rides.
For those who don’t mind manual input, it’s still manageable—but honestly, in 2025, who has time for that?
Budgeting Features: A Rescuer, but Not Without Flaws
Once you get past the manual input wahala, Mint’s budgeting features shine. The app allows you to set budgets for different categories: food, transportation, entertainment, and even “miscellaneous” (because unexpected expenses in Nigeria are a given). It tracks how much you spend in each category and gives real-time feedback.
For example, last December, I was preparing for the usual “Detty December” groove. Mint’s alerts kept reminding me when I was overspending on outings. It was like having your mom in your ear, saying, “Do you think money grows on trees?” As annoying as the alerts were, they saved me from going flat broke by January 2nd.
However, there are cultural gaps. Take fuel costs, for instance. In Nigeria, the price of petrol fluctuates like NEPA’s electricity supply. Mint doesn’t understand these dynamics. It assumes your monthly expenses are consistent, which isn’t realistic in this part of the world.
Expense Categorization: Sometimes Accurate, Sometimes Confused
Mint tries to automatically categorize your expenses based on the descriptions in your transactions. If you buy groceries, it’ll mark them as “groceries.” But for someone like me, who shops at open markets like Balogun or Yaba, most of my transactions are cash-based. When I withdraw ₦50,000 for the week, Mint doesn’t know what I spent it on. It just marks it as “uncategorized.”
This is where I had to do extra work, breaking down my expenses manually. I’d tag ₦15,000 for foodstuff, ₦5,000 for transportation, and so on. It works, but it’s tedious. If you’re not disciplined, you’ll abandon the app after a few weeks.
Security: Solid, But Still Leaves Doubts
One thing about Nigerians: we don’t play with our money. So, when I saw that Mint required me to link my bank accounts, I hesitated. Like, what if someone hacks the app? What if my money disappears? But after some research, I found that Mint uses bank-level encryption, which is reassuring.
That said, I’m still wary. Maybe it’s because we’ve seen too many fraudulent schemes in this country. While Mint seems secure, I’d advise you to use it cautiously. Don’t input sensitive information unless you’re 100% comfortable.
Reports and Insights: Eye-Opening, But Context Matters
Mint generates detailed reports about your spending habits. It’ll tell you things like, “You spent 40% of your income on food this month.” Seeing the breakdown can be shocking. In January, for instance, I realized I was spending too much on takeout. I was like, “So, na food dey chop all my money?”
These reports are helpful, but they don’t always capture the full picture. For example, in Nigeria, certain expenses don’t have receipts or clear documentation. If you send ₦10,000 to your cousin via bank transfer to “hold body,” Mint has no way of understanding that this is cultural, not frivolous spending. The app lacks the context to make sense of such transactions, which makes the insights less useful.
Customer Support: E Go Shock You
Mint’s customer support is almost non-existent. I had an issue with the app crashing on my Android phone (I use a Samsung Galaxy A71), and I reached out for help. I waited days for a response, and when it finally came, it was a generic email that didn’t solve my problem.
For an app that claims to be a market leader, this was disappointing. If you’re based in Nigeria and encounter issues, just know you’re mostly on your own.
Premium Features: Worth It or Not?
Mint has a free version, which I used, but they also offer a premium subscription. Premium comes with features like ad-free usage, advanced reporting, and access to credit score monitoring. Let me be honest: the free version is enough for basic budgeting.
However, the premium features didn’t appeal to me because they’re tailored for the U.S. audience. For example, credit score monitoring is useless here since Nigeria doesn’t have a widespread credit system like America. Why should I pay for something I can’t use?
Overall Verdict: A Decent App, But Not Made for Us
So, is Mint worth it? The answer depends on your needs and patience level. If you’re okay with manually inputting your expenses and ignoring features that don’t apply to Nigeria, Mint can be a helpful tool. Its budgeting and reporting features are solid, and it’ll definitely help you get a better grip on your finances.
But if you’re looking for an app that’s tailored to the Nigerian context, Mint will frustrate you. The lack of integration with local banks and mobile money platforms like Opay or PalmPay is a huge drawback. Plus, the app’s inability to account for our unique spending habits makes it feel like an imported product that doesn’t quite fit.
For now, I’ll keep using Mint because it’s better than nothing. But I’m also on the lookout for a financial app that truly understands the Nigerian market. If you know one, abeg, let me know.
What about you? Would you try Mint despite its limitations? Let’s talk about it!