Payaza Secures Triple Credit Rating, Redefining African Fintech Standards
Payaza, a pan-African financial infrastructure company, has earned a third investment-grade credit rating, this time from Agusto & Co., one of Africa’s top credit rating agencies. This milestone cements Payaza’s reputation as one of the most financially sound and operationally disciplined fintech firms on the continent.
A Rare Triple Endorsement
Before Agusto & Co.’s endorsement, Payaza had already received similar ratings from Global Credit Ratings (GCR), a Moody’s affiliate, and DataPro, Nigeria’s leading domestic ratings agency. With this third rating, Payaza joins a very exclusive group of African fintechs to receive triple investment-grade recognition, a notable feat in an industry often challenged by fast-paced growth and financial opacity.
These ratings are more than accolades, they’re an affirmation that an African fintech can meet and exceed global benchmarks in governance, transparency, and capital management.
Quiet Execution, Big Impact
Launched in Lagos, Payaza has expanded its footprint to 21 countries, supporting digital infrastructure for everything from payment collections and cross-border transfers to embedded finance APIs. Its clients range from traditional merchants and SMEs to digital-native startups and diaspora-owned businesses.
Unlike the typical startup story driven by high valuations and experimental models, Payaza has built steadily and sustainably. In 2024, it rebranded to reflect its shift from a regional processor to a global financial infrastructure provider. But this evolution wasn’t just cosmetic, it was backed by numbers.
Financing with Credibility, Not Hype
Following its GCR and DataPro ratings, Payaza received approval from the FMDQ Exchange to register a ₦50 billion (approx. $35 million) commercial paper program, the largest ever for a Nigerian fintech. The capital wasn’t for survival or short-term scaling. It was earmarked for expanding infrastructure and funding the company’s push into international markets, including the United States.
The company issued the first and second series of the program in December 2024. The ₦14.97 billion first tranche was fully repaid ahead of schedule in June 2025, using internally generated revenue, not venture capital. The second series, valued at ₦5.36 billion, is due in September 2025 and is also expected to be repaid early. This level of fiscal responsibility is exceptional in global fintech and nearly unheard of in emerging markets.
Commenting on the latest rating, Seyi Ebenezer, CEO of Payaza Africa, said:
“The Agusto & Co. rating is a strong endorsement not only of Payaza’s internal governance, but also of Nigeria’s ability to produce globally relevant, financially sound fintech operators. For years, African startups have been viewed primarily through the lens of potential. Now, companies like Payaza are shifting that narrative from promise to performance.”
More Than a Company Milestone
This triple-rating elevates Payaza to a new tier of credibility, unlocking greater access to institutional capital and multinational partnerships. It also challenges outdated assumptions about African fintech, proving that innovation from the continent can be disciplined, scalable, and globally respected.
Payaza’s trajectory sets a new benchmark not just for fintechs, but for African companies at large. As more Nigerian firms expand beyond borders, Payaza stands as a blueprint for building sustainable, compliant, and profitable ventures rooted in operational integrity, not just ambition.
