TransUnion Africa launches API marketplace to boost SA SMMEs and fintechs

The platform simplifies integration, accelerates decision-making, and supports inclusive, data-driven financial services

Global information and insights company TransUnion Africa has launched its API Marketplace. This streamlined digital platform is designed to give small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as FinTechs direct, self-service access to a wide range of credit, identity, and fraud prevention solutions.

The platform aims to simplify integration, strengthen risk assessment, and support the delivery of faster, more personalised financial services across the country. The API Marketplace helps reduce technical complexities, enabling companies to quickly incorporate credit checks, identity verification, and fraud detection into their operations for faster, more accurate decision-making.

For many SMMEs and FinTechs, limited access to reliable credit data, time-consuming verification processes, and the burden of manual fraud checks can slow growth and undermine customer trust. The TransUnion API Marketplace addresses these pain points by allowing businesses to discover and embed TransUnion’s trusted data solutions directly into their systems, without lengthy onboarding processes or complex development cycles.

“With the launch of the TransUnion API Marketplace in South Africa, we’re empowering SMMEs and FinTechs with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy,” says Dee Chetty, Chief Product Officer at TransUnion Africa. “It’s about lowering barriers to entry for businesses aiming to innovate quickly, deliver inclusive financial services, and make smarter decisions, while upholding the highest standards of data integrity and security.”

The platform offers real-time access to insights that support key business functions, from identity verification during customer onboarding to fraud flagging and credit risk assessment throughout the customer lifecycle. This is particularly powerful for SMMEs and FinTechs, which often operate with lean teams and need to maximise efficiency without compromising on due diligence.

According to the latest Mastercard SME Confidence Index, 90% of South African SMMEs have adopted digital payments in recent years, demonstrating the sector’s appetite for modernisation. However, many still lack access to the kind of scalable, reliable infrastructure that larger organisations take for granted. The API Marketplace bridges that gap, enabling smaller firms to leverage TransUnion’s capabilities in a cost-effective and agile way.

Crucially, the offering also supports national priorities around financial inclusion. Improving the flow of accurate credit and identity data enables businesses to offer more tailored products to underserved consumers, particularly in emerging markets and low-income communities. This helps create a more transparent and equitable financial ecosystem, where access to funding and services is based on real, data-driven insights.

“The API Marketplace is not just a product, it’s an enabler of impact,” adds Chetty. “We know that the future of inclusive finance in South Africa depends on access: to data, to tools, and to trust. This platform delivers on all three, helping more businesses deliver safe, responsible, and responsive financial products.”

Digitising integration through the API Marketplace enhances operational efficiency and significantly shortens development timelines. The platform includes a wide range of features designed for accessibility and ease of use. It offers a searchable API catalogue, developer-friendly documentation, and robust security protocols, all designed to reduce friction and accelerate deployment. A structured onboarding process is already in place, with plans to introduce full self-service and digital onboarding in the next phase of development.

Looking ahead, TransUnion sees the API Marketplace as a critical lever for economic resilience and innovation, particularly as the South African FinTech sector continues its rapid growth. The local FinTech market is projected to reach USD 14.86 billion by 2033, with APIs playing a foundational role in scaling new financial solutions.