dLocal, the Latin American fintech powerhouse, has announced its intent to acquire AZA Finance, a pioneer in cross-border payments and FX solutions across Africa. While the deal is still subject to regulatory approval, it signals a major strategic move to expand dLocal’s footprint across the continent’s fast-growing financial landscape. In February this year, both companies announced they entered into a strategic partnership designed to expand both companies’ service offerings through mutual cross-selling.
Founded in Uruguay and recently valued at over $5 billion, dLocal has been on an aggressive global expansion path. Having conquered much of Latin America and ventured into parts of Asia, the company is now setting its sights firmly on Africa—one of the world’s most dynamic fintech frontiers.
AZA Finance, launched in 2013 as BitPesa, was one of the earliest African startups to leverage blockchain technology for remittances. Over the past decade, it evolved into a comprehensive B2B digital FX and payments platform, rebranding as AZA Finance in 2019. With operations in 17 African countries—including markets like Botswana, Guinea, and Mozambique where dLocal previously lacked a presence—AZA brings to the table unmatched local expertise, regulatory licenses, and deep-rooted networks.
According to Bloomberg, the deal values AZA Finance at approximately $150 million, though the transaction structure is expected to follow dLocal’s signature model—mixing upfront payments with revenue-sharing, rather than a full equity acquisition. This flexible approach allows dLocal to integrate payment flows without taking on full operational overhead.
The impact of this acquisition is twofold. First, dLocal will gain access to AZA’s impressive infrastructure, which includes the facilitation of over 15 million transactions and more than $9 billion in total volume. Second, AZA will benefit from dLocal’s global merchant ecosystem, allowing it to scale its services across new verticals and geographies. The move also strengthens dLocal’s treasury capabilities, expands its stablecoin coverage, and accelerates its Over-the-Counter FX services—features increasingly critical in volatile currency environments.
Commenting on the acquisition, dLocal COO Carlos Menendez said, “This deal reinforces our commitment to Africa and helps us bring seamless, localized payment experiences to a broader audience.” Meanwhile, AZA Finance founder Elizabeth Rossiello reflected on the journey: “We started out with a dream to build Africa’s most efficient trading desk for FX and stablecoins. Today, we take the next step by joining forces with a global leader.”
With global players increasingly eyeing Africa, dLocal’s acquisition of AZA Finance isn’t just another M&A headline—it’s a signal that Africa is not just the next frontier for fintech; it’s the battleground for global payment supremacy.
