Mobile Money integration connects african users to crypto markets

Partnership links local payment systems to digital asset platforms, enabling direct transactions in local currencies across multiple markets

VALR CEO Farzam Ehsani.

VALR, a digital asset trading platform, and Onafriq, a payments infrastructure provider, have integrated their technologies to allow users across 43 African markets to fund crypto accounts using mobile money services. The initiative connects widely used regional payment systems with blockchain-based financial services, creating a direct pathway between local currencies and digital assets.

The integration is designed to address structural limitations in traditional banking access by enabling deposits through mobile wallets such as M-PESA and MTN Mobile Money. By leveraging Onafriq’s network, which spans close to one billion mobile wallets, users can transact without relying on conventional banking intermediaries, using existing payment methods already embedded in daily financial activity.

Within the platform, transactions are processed using stablecoins, which function as a settlement layer to support speed and reduce exposure to currency volatility in cross-border operations. This approach allows users to move funds between local payment systems and crypto markets with fewer steps, while maintaining compatibility with existing financial infrastructure.

The solution also responds to the role of mobile money in Sub-Saharan Africa, where digital wallets are often the primary financial interface for both individuals and businesses. In markets such as Kenya and Nigeria, mobile-based transactions frequently exceed card usage, making them a central component for expanding access to financial services.

“By enabling direct connections in local currencies, we offer millions a practical pathway to Bitcoin and innovative financial tools,” said Farzam Ehsani.

According to Dare Okoudjou, the integration allows users to transact with merchants already connected to the Onafriq network, extending the utility of both payment and crypto ecosystems.

The partnership reflects a broader shift toward interoperability between local payment infrastructures and global financial systems, with a focus on simplifying access while maintaining compatibility with regional transaction habits.