Startup backed by Sequoia Capital abandons original focus on the unbanked to build a vertically integrated financial group.

The round was led by global tech investment firm Partech, with participation from development finance institution Proparco.

The BCEAO’s instant payments platform launched in late 2025 to link banks and mobile wallets across eight countries. Months later, top players Wave and Orange Money have yet to fully join — latest data suggests they have little urgency.

The round was led by global technology investor Partech.

The practical application of this broadened mandate is already visible in the market.

Angola has officially decided what a startup is. Now, it just needs to fund some.

While Orda currently operates in Nigeria and Kenya, this acquisition only covers its Nigerian operations, leaving the future of its Kenyan arm undecided.

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has quietly rewritten a key rule of engagement for the region’s financial system.

The original AZA Finance acquisition was framed as a key driver for continent-wide growth, particularly as dLocal faces mixed regional performance.

South African digital lender GoTyme Bank — recently rebranded from TymeBank to align with its global parent company .

The new financing vehicle, FarmCarbon, will pre-finance biodigesters for 90,000 smallholder farmers in exchange for future carbon credits.

The signals are broadly positive.