The future of global remittances is being reshaped at the intersection of blockchain innovation and financial inclusion. Ripple, a leader in enterprise blockchain and crypto-enabled payment solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Onafriq—formerly known as MFS Africa—to revolutionize cross-border payments between Africa and key international markets.
This collaboration leverages Ripple’s advanced crypto-powered payments infrastructure to launch three new international corridors connecting Africa with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the United Kingdom, and Australia. Through this integration, users of PayAngel (UK), Pyypl (GCC), and Zazi Transfer (Australia) can now send fast, secure, and low-cost digital remittances to recipients across 27 African countries via Onafriq’s expansive pan-African network.
Transforming Cross-Border Payments with Blockchain Technology
Traditional cross-border payment systems have long been plagued by inefficiencies—high fees, slow processing times, and lack of transparency. These challenges disproportionately affect regions like Africa, where remittances play a vital role in economic stability and household income.
By integrating Ripple Payments, Onafriq is addressing these systemic issues head-on. The solution utilizes digital assets to streamline settlement processes, significantly reducing transaction times from days to seconds while cutting costs by up to 70% compared to conventional banking rails.
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This technological leap isn't just about speed and savings—it's about accessibility. With Ripple’s blockchain-backed infrastructure, underbanked populations across Africa gain more reliable access to international funds, supporting broader financial inclusion goals.
Onafriq’s Pan-African Reach Meets Global Demand
Onafriq operates the largest mobile money interoperability platform in Africa, linking over 500 million mobile wallets across 40 countries. Its payment hub powers more than 1,300 cross-border corridors, enabling seamless fund transfers between disparate financial systems—including mobile money providers, banks, and fintech apps.
This vast connectivity makes Onafriq an ideal partner for scaling crypto-enabled remittances. By combining its deep regional footprint with Ripple’s global settlement network, the partnership unlocks new opportunities for diaspora communities sending money home.
Recipients in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda can now receive funds directly into mobile wallets or local bank accounts—without intermediaries or excessive delays.
Supported Countries Include:
- Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso
- Burundi, Central African Republic, Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia
- Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast
- Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi
- Mali, Morocco, Mozambique
- Niger, Nigeria, Senegal
- South Africa, Tanzania, Togo
- Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
A Strategic Move Toward Crypto-Enabled Financial Inclusion
The timing of this announcement aligns with growing momentum around blockchain adoption in emerging markets. As digital asset regulations mature and infrastructure improves, fintech leaders are increasingly turning to decentralized technologies to solve real-world financial challenges.
Dare Okoudjou, Founder and CEO of Onafriq, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership:
“Our mission is to make borders matter less when it comes to payments within, to, and from Africa. This collaboration with Ripple enables us to build new bridges with innovative fintechs like PayAngel, Pyypl, and Zazi Transfer—bridges that deliver fast, secure, and affordable remittances at scale.”
This initiative marks a foundational step in Onafriq’s broader crypto strategy—one that aims to harness blockchain not just for efficiency but for equitable economic participation across the continent.
Ripple’s Vision for the Future of Global Payments
Ripple has been at the forefront of reimagining cross-border settlements since its inception. As the first company to apply blockchain technology to address the trillion-dollar inefficiencies in international payments, Ripple built its foundation on solving complex infrastructure challenges.
Today, Ripple serves hundreds of financial institutions across 55+ countries and six continents, offering payout capabilities in more than 70 global markets. Beyond remittances, the company has expanded into areas such as liquidity management, CBDC development, and tokenization platforms—positioning itself as a comprehensive provider of enterprise-grade digital asset solutions.
Aaron Sears, SVP of Global Customer Success at Ripple, highlighted the significance of expanding into Africa:
“We’ve long supported crypto-enabled payments for individuals and businesses worldwide. Now, through our partnership with Onafriq, we’re extending those benefits deeper into Africa—connecting global senders with millions of recipients who rely on timely and affordable remittances.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Ripple Payments?
A: Ripple Payments is a crypto-enabled solution that uses digital assets—like XRP—to facilitate instant, low-cost cross-border transactions. It allows financial institutions and fintechs to settle payments in real time without pre-funded accounts.
Q: How does this partnership benefit African users?
A: African recipients gain access to faster, cheaper, and more reliable international transfers. Funds sent via PayAngel, Pyypl, or Zazi Transfer reach mobile wallets or bank accounts within seconds, improving cash flow for families and small businesses.
Q: Is cryptocurrency required to use this service?
A: No. End users do not need to hold or understand cryptocurrency. The digital asset layer operates behind the scenes to optimize settlement between institutions.
Q: Which countries are included in the new payment corridors?
A: The expanded corridors support transfers into 27 African nations including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Morocco, and Egypt—from the UK, GCC region (e.g., UAE), and Australia.
Q: How does Onafriq connect so many mobile money providers?
A: Onafriq acts as a centralized payment hub that integrates APIs from hundreds of mobile money operators and banks across Africa, enabling interoperability between otherwise isolated systems.
Q: What makes this different from traditional SWIFT transfers?
A: Unlike SWIFT’s multi-day settlement cycles and high intermediary fees, Ripple’s network settles transactions in seconds with minimal cost. It also offers end-to-end tracking and greater transparency.
Accelerating Financial Inclusion Through Innovation
This partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances between global blockchain leaders and regional fintech innovators can drive tangible social impact. By reducing friction in cross-border payments, Ripple and Onafriq are not only improving user experience—they’re empowering underserved communities with better access to global capital flows.
As adoption grows, similar models could expand into Latin America, Southeast Asia, and other regions facing remittance inefficiencies.
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With over half a billion mobile wallets now connected across Africa—and rising demand for efficient remittance channels—the stage is set for blockchain-powered payments to become the new standard.
This collaboration isn't just a technological upgrade; it's a step toward a more inclusive financial future—one where geography no longer determines economic opportunity.