TechCrunch
Visa has entered a partnership with Nigeria based startup Paga on payments and technology.
Founded in Lagos, Paga scaled its fintech business in West Africa, before targeting expansion in Ethiopia and Mexico.
The startup has created a multi-channel network for over 14 million customers in Nigeria to transfer money, pay-bills and buy things digitally through its mobile-app or 24,840 agents.
The new arrangement allows Paga account holders to transact on Visa’s global network. It will also see both companies work together on tech.
The collaboration reflects a strategy of the American financial services giant to expand in Africa working with the continent’s top startups.
Visa’s partnership with Paga doesn’t include investment in the startup, but it is expected to drive larger payment volumes for both companies — and Visa’s priorities in Africa.
“We want to digitize cash, that’s a strategic priority for us. We want to expand merchant access to payment acceptance and we want to drive financial inclusion,” said Otto Williams, Visa’s Head of Strategic Partnerships, Fintech and Ventures for Africa.