Key Developments
Tanzanian Fintech Nala Builds Its Own Payment Platform to Boost Remittance Services in Africa
Nala, a Tanzanian financial technology company, has announced the development of its own payment platform, Rafiki, to enhance its remittance services across Africa.
Nala pivoted to remittance services in 2021, capitalizing on the growing demand for reliable and affordable money transfer options within Africa. However, relying on existing payment rails caused challenges with dependability.
“We started experiencing high failure rates from partners as we scaled,” said Nala founder Benjamin Fernandes.
“This drove the decision to build Rafiki, a platform that directly integrates with banks and mobile money providers.”
Rafiki aims to improve service reliability, minimize user fees, and facilitate expansion plans. The platform is currently in a limited release but has already secured contracts with major remittance and payment companies.
While Nala’s Rafiki powers its consumer remittance app, the platform also caters to global businesses. Businesses can leverage Rafiki to make direct payments into recipients’ mobile money wallets or bank accounts across Africa.
Nala’s recent leadership hires, including former Wise and Currency Cloud executives, signal the company’s commitment to scaling its operations.
This expansion coincides with a tenfold revenue increase in the past year for Nala’s consumer product, driven by a growing user base.
The company’s growth aligns with projections for sub-Saharan Africa’s remittance market, with the World Bank forecasting a 1.9% increase in remittance flows to the region in 2023, reaching $54 billion. This figure is likely higher when considering informal channels.
“We’ve focused on building a strong foundation for our business,” Fernandes explained. “The past year’s revenue growth and profitability position us well for significant scaling with Rafiki as our backbone.”
This shift towards a self-built payment infrastructure positions Nala to become a key player in Africa’s growing remittance and cross-border payment landscape.
Related Articles
Register Now
Empower Africa Times Newsletter
Share :
You may also like...
Kenyan Agri-Fintech Startup Apollo Agriculture Secures $10 Million From Swedfund and ImpactConnect to Empower African Farmers
Leading Kenyan agri-fintech startup Apollo Agriculture has secured a $10 million investment from Swedfund and ImpactConnect to fuel its rapid expansion across Africa.
Shekel Mobility Secures $7 Million in Funding to Drive Growth in African Automotive Market
Shekel Mobility, a B2B auto dealers marketplace catering to the African used car market, has secured $7 million in funding to propel its growth and expansion plans.
ARISE IIP Secures $443 Million Capital Raise from Afreximbank’s FEDA and AFC to Boost Industrial Expansion in Africa
ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), a leading developer and operator of industrial parks across Africa, has successfully raised $443 million in new capital to fuel its expansion efforts.