NALA Lands $50 Million Backing for Cross-Border Payments Expansion

NALA has secured a $50 million financing facility from LIQUIDITY and MUFG-backed Mars Growth Capital, giving the Tanzanian-founded fintech access to additional capital as it expands its international payments network. The funding comes as businesses and consumers increasingly look for faster and more efficient ways to move money across borders.

The financing facility will support NALA’s efforts to expand its payment network, invest in technology and meet regulatory requirements across multiple markets. The company has steadily expanded its presence in international payments in recent years, particularly as stablecoin-based payment solutions gain traction in markets across Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States.

New Capital for Expansion

Founder and CEO Benjamin Fernandes said the facility would help fund the company’s next stage of expansion. According to Fernandes, NALA has spent the past year investing in regulatory compliance, infrastructure and profitability while growing its international footprint.

The company currently holds 17 regulatory approvals and licences globally, making it one of the most licensed fintech companies at its stage of development. Fernandes also revealed that nearly half of the capital raised during NALA’s previous funding round remains available, highlighting the company’s focus on controlling costs while continuing to invest in expansion.

Profitable Business Units

Both of the company’s main business units reported healthy margins. NALA’s consumer payments business recently achieved gross profit margins of 64%, while Rafiki, its business-to-business payments platform, recorded gross profit margins of 80%.

The fintech has also secured partnerships with several major banks and international money transfer providers. Among them is MoneyGram, which is already using NALA’s services. The company expects to announce additional banking and payments partnerships in the coming months as it continues to broaden its reach.

The arrangement gives NALA access to funding without raising fresh equity. This allows the company to finance expansion plans while avoiding further dilution for existing shareholders. For NALA, the facility provides access to funding that can be used to expand operations, invest in infrastructure and support future growth without pursuing another equity raise.

Building Out Its Payments Network

NALA expects demand for faster and cheaper international payments to continue rising as businesses and consumers increasingly adopt digital payment technologies. The company believes stablecoins and other emerging payment technologies will play a growing role in making cross-border transactions quicker, cheaper and easier to access. With access to the new facility, NALA plans to continue investing in its payments infrastructure, expand into additional markets and serve more customers across its international network over the next two years.