PawaPay and Deriv Collaborate to Boost Mobile Money Payments Across Africa
PawaPay, a leading Pan-African payments company, has teamed up with Deriv, a global online trading platform, to enhance mobile money deposit capabilities in several African nations. This partnership is part of a broader initiative to expand their footprints across the continent.
The integration, which began in 2025, currently facilitates mobile money deposits across eight African markets, with plans for further expansion. Users of Deriv can now leverage local payment methods through PawaPay’s compliant infrastructure, offering a seamless experience across various mobile network operators.
The Importance of Mobile Money in Africa
“Mobile money is already deeply embedded in how people transact across Africa,” stated Nikolai Barnwell, CEO of PawaPay. He emphasized that as companies expand into multiple markets, maintaining reliability amidst growing transaction volumes becomes a significant challenge. “Our aim is to ensure that payments remain predictable, allowing platforms like Deriv to focus on serving their customers instead of managing operational complexities,” Barnwell added.
Localized Payment Options for Deriv Customers
Through this collaboration, Deriv users can fund their trading accounts using the same mobile wallets they rely on for day-to-day transactions. For many consumers in Africa, mobile money serves as the primary payment method, making consistent connectivity and regulatory compliance essential for digital platforms looking to scale effectively.
Deriv chose PawaPay as a key partner in its growth strategy, recognizing the necessity for localized payment solutions that do not compromise reliability as transaction volumes increase.
Enhancing Transaction Efficiency and User Trust
Derek Swift, head of client funding facilities at Deriv, described the partnership as crucial for their expansion in Africa. He noted that PawaPay’s platform excels in markets where payment infrastructure demands strong local expertise and responsiveness across various jurisdictions.
The partnership aligns with a larger trend among global fintech and trading platforms investing in localized payment rails to catalyze growth in Africa’s mobile-first economies. Since launching the integration, Deriv has reported a noticeable increase in mobile money deposits within the active markets.
Joint Campaigns and User Education
Joint launch and user education initiatives have been instrumental in accelerating adoption. Improved transaction reliability has also led to fewer failed payments and enhanced settlement predictability—factors that drive user trust and encourage repeat usage.
PawaPay’s Role in Payment Infrastructure
PawaPay operates across 20 African markets, connecting businesses to various local payment methods, including mobile money services. The company handles payment processing, settlement, foreign exchange, and reconciliation for global platforms operating at scale.
Comprehensive Support for Deriv
As part of the partnership, PawaPay supplies Deriv with operator connectivity, compliance assistance, and coordinated settlement across active markets. The company also offers hands-on technical support during network instability, aiming to minimize service disruptions. PawaPay’s infrastructure is designed to handle high-volume payment flows as demand continues to rise.
To learn more about mobile money in Africa and its impact on financial inclusion, explore the following articles on [BusinessDay](https://businessday.ng/financial-inclusion/article/how-mobile-money-growth-is-fueling-financial-inclusion/) and [trends in mobile money accounts](https://businessday.ng/financial-inclusion/article/why-millions-in-sub-saharan-africa-dont-have-mobile-money-accounts/).
