Payaza Expands to Australia and New Zealand After Approvals

In Short

• Payaza has expanded into Australia and New Zealand after completing regulatory processes.
• The registrations allow remittances, cross-border payments, foreign exchange, and some virtual asset transactions.
• Payaza says it is targeting trade corridors where fees are high and settlement is slow.

What Happened

Nigerian fintech Payaza has launched in Australia and New Zealand, following about four months of regulatory work. In New Zealand, the company is registered as an Authorized Money Service Business, which means it can legally provide services like money transfers under local rules.

In Australia, Payaza secured registrations as an Independent Remittance Dealer, Digital Currency Exchange Provider, and Virtual Asset Service Provider. Put simply, these approvals allow it to move money across borders, offer FX services (currency conversion), and support certain crypto or digital asset related transactions within regulatory limits.

CEO Seyi Ebenezer said the move is aimed at “high-value” cross-border trade corridors where traditional financial institutions often charge high fees. Payaza also says the approvals help with credibility when working with banks and payment partners, which can matter when onboarding enterprise merchants.

The company positions Australia and New Zealand as gateways into wider trade links across Asia and Africa. Payaza argues that cross-border payments are still fragmented, meaning many regions rely on slow intermediary networks to settle transactions. Instead, it is pursuing licences across markets to build its own settlement network, which is the plumbing that routes and completes transfers.

Payaza said it processed ₦6.25 trillion, about $4.17 billion, in transaction volume in the first half of the year. It also recently launched Payaza Shopaza, an e-commerce platform combining online storefronts, inventory tools, logistics support, and multi-currency payments.

Why It Matters

For African businesses trading with partners abroad, the biggest pain points are often cost, speed, and certainty of settlement, meaning knowing a payment will clear on time. More regulated corridors can reduce failed payments and improve access to local banking partners.

If Payaza can connect these markets with reliable settlement and better FX pricing, it could become a stronger option for exporters, importers, and platforms handling international supplier payments.