Abstract
This study investigates the multi–scale innovation in Nigerian FinTech with global platforms, addressing the persistent “localization gap” between global capabilities and local impact. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, the research comprised qualitative multiple case studies (34 interviews, 27 documents) followed by a quantitative survey of 300 Nigerian FinTech firms analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings reveal that architectural modularity, platform governance and knowledge orchestration collectively mediate the platform performance relationship, accounting for 68% of the variance in ecosystem performance. Knowledge orchestration emerged as the dominant mechanism, accounting for 59.6% of the relationship, empirically validating practitioner emphasis on the “Naija factor” the tacit cultural, behavioral and institutional knowledge essential for market relevance. Institutional distance significantly attenuates these relationships (β = -0.14 to -0.22), while local partner capability significantly strengthens them (β = 0.18 to 0.26). The study introduces three theoretical contributions: resilient modularity architectural designs maintaining functionality under degraded conditions; translation capability the organizational competence rendering tacit local knowledge accessible across institutional boundaries; and institutional humility an orientation moderating institutional distance effects. Based on the findings, the study recommends amongst others for Nigerian policymakers, that enabling regulatory co-creation, recognizing informal institutions and supporting partner capability development can accelerate ecosystem performance. The study demonstrates that adaptive governance navigating institutional pluralism and institutional humility willingness to understand rather than impose to unlock the transformative potential of digital finance for inclusive innovation in emerging economies.
Keywords: FinTech, Innovation Orchestration, Institutional Distance, Knowledge Orchestration, Mixed Methods, Platform Ecosystems.