dLocal, a leading cross-border payment platform, has announced intention to acquire AZA finance, a prominent African fintech specializing in cross-border payments and foreign exchange (FX) solutions, pending regulatory approval.
While the financial details were not officially disclosed, Bloomberg reports that the deal is valued at approximately $150 million.
dLocal acquisition of AZA finance comes after both companies in February this year, forged a strategic partnership to expand their footprint in Africa. By combining dLocal’s robust cross-border payment infrastructure with AZA Finance’s foreign exchange capabilities and network of regional licenses, customers of both companies benefit from improved payment processing, increased reach, and enhanced financial services.
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Founded in Nairobi in 2013, AZA makes it easier for companies around the world to exchange currencies, make payments, and settle easily in all major African and G20 currencies. The platform has established itself as a leader in remittances, providing efficient and reliable services for sending money into Africa.
Its secure and efficient API and web platform is a trusted gateway for leading remittance providers, multinational corporations, and innovative enterprises worldwide. The recent acquisition plan will significantly enhance dLocal’s presence across the African continent, enabling billions in cross-border transactions.
With AZA Finance’s FX capabilities, dLocal gains access to improved liquidity, better pricing, and deeper expertise in remittance services. AZA Finance’s skilled team brings valuable on-the-ground knowledge, aligning with dLocal’s mission to deliver seamless, localized payment experiences across the EMEA region.
“This partnership is key to increasing access for our global merchants to Africa’s dynamic markets,” said Carlos Menendez, Chief Operating Officer at dLocal.
Once the acquisition is approved, it is expected to accelerate dLocal’s expansion into Latin America, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region, extending its cross-border infrastructure and merchant services.
“By combining dLocal and AZA Finance, we are well-positioned to offer innovative, efficient, and localized payment solutions to help businesses and individuals prosper in this rapidly evolving region,” Menendez added.
dLocal’s growth has been significantly propelled by its strong presence in the Middle East and Africa, regions characterised by high cryptocurrency adoption. Key markets for dLocal’s expansion include the UAE, Turkey, and Nigeria, where stablecoin usage is particularly high.
Through the “One dLocal” concept (one direct API, one platform, and one contract), global companies can accept payments, send pay-outs and settle funds globally without the need to manage separate pay-in and pay-out processors, set up numerous local entities, and integrate multiple acquirers and payment methods in each market.
As AZA Finance moves toward becoming part of the dLocal family, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering best-in-class cross-border payment solutions to businesses across emerging markets. The company’s award-winning team has been instrumental in addressing the unique needs of businesses operating in and out of Africa, offering compliant, market-driven services backed by local licenses, banking partnerships, and a steadfast focus on regulatory alignment.
These efforts have culminated in a suite of innovative products that enable businesses and their end-users to access seamless cross-border payment capabilities. This mission will remain central as AZA Finance prepares to integrate with dLocal’s global payments platform, pending regulatory approval.
The company anticipates that its technology and senior-level expertise will complement dLocal’s infrastructure, further connecting markets and expanding the reach of its services.