Payaza Africa Limited is joining forces with Lebara Nigeria to expand digital payments, telecommunications services and financial access for millions of Nigerians. The agreement links Payaza’s payment infrastructure with Lebara, a Tier 5 mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to develop.
Payment services to support Lebara customers
Under the arrangement, Payaza will provide the payment capabilities behind Lebara’s customer services. Users will be able to buy airtime and data, control subscriptions and access additional digital products through secure payment channels.
The companies said the deal reflects the increasingly close relationship between African telecommunications and fintech businesses, which are working to create a more connected and financially inclusive economy.
Lebara Nigeria operates a digital-first, asset-light model aimed at specialised consumer groups. Its business is designed to address barriers including expensive data and restricted access to communications services.
- Customers will be able to complete airtime purchases and data top-ups more easily.
- Subscription administration will be available through integrated digital payment tools.
- The services will also cover LebaraPlay, billed as Africa’s first micro-drama platform owned by a telecommunications company.
- Payment functionality is scheduled to reach Lebara Nigeria’s mobile applications and USSD channels during the current quarter.
Cross-border support for families in Nigeria
The partnership will also target Nigerians living abroad. Payaza’s ability to collect and make payouts across multiple jurisdictions will allow overseas users to pay for airtime, data and other telecom products for relatives in Nigeria with less friction.
Fawaz Abaniwonda, Payaza’s Executive Advisor for Innovation and Research, said the agreement demonstrates the company’s focus on solutions built around customer needs. He described Lebara’s choice of Payaza for its Nigerian launch as evidence of confidence in the payment provider’s infrastructure and its capabilities across African markets.
“Customer obsession guides our decisions,” Abaniwonda said. He added that working with Lebara would enable Payaza to improve everyday services for millions of Nigerians while turning that commitment into practical payment experiences.
Teniola Stuffman, Chief Executive Officer of Lebara Nigeria, called the deal an important move toward broader digital participation. He said millions of people need access that is both more inclusive and better connected to global services.
Stuffman said the partnership supports Lebara’s “Telco Trinity” approach, which is built around dependable, affordable and customer-focused offerings. By using Payaza’s secure systems, he added, Lebara aims to make connectivity a channel for digital commerce and greater financial empowerment.
Payaza’s financial position and market outlook
Payaza recently received “A” credit-rating upgrades from GCR, Agusto and DataPro. Those assessments strengthen its standing as a payment infrastructure provider and highlight its governance and risk-management frameworks.
Established in 2022 and based in Lagos, Payaza now serves more than 10,000 businesses. Its product range includes:
- Payment gateways
- Payout services
- Virtual accounts
- Collections
- Shopaza, an artificial-intelligence-powered platform
Market observers view the agreement as part of a wider African trend in which telecom operators and fintech companies combine their services as demand grows for unified digital platforms.
With Nigeria advancing its digital transformation, the Lebara–Payaza relationship is expected to support wider financial inclusion, promote online commerce and help create a more resilient communications and payments ecosystem for consumers in Nigeria and abroad.
