African payments company NALA has received regulatory approval from the Bank of Ghana, marking a significant step in its expansion across West Africa’s remittance market. The approval clears the way for the fintech to offer regulated cross-border money transfer services into Ghana, one of the region’s most active remittance destinations, and is supported by a strategic partnership with licensed payment provider BigPay.
The approval, issued as a Letter of No Objection by the Bank of Ghana, authorizes NALA to facilitate inbound remittances into the country in compliance with local financial regulations. This comes at a time when Ghana’s central bank has increased oversight of remittance operators, reinforcing the importance of operating through licensed and approved channels.
To support its Ghanaian operations, NALA has partnered with BigPay, a locally licensed Payment Service Provider. Under the arrangement, BigPay will provide the payments infrastructure required for transaction processing, settlement, and regulatory compliance. This enables NALA users to send money directly into bank accounts and mobile money wallets across Ghana, improving speed and reliability for recipients.
NALA has built its platform around simplifying international money transfers for individuals and businesses, with an emphasis on transparency and reduced costs. By securing approval from the Bank of Ghana and working with a regulated local partner, the company strengthens its credibility while reducing the operational risks often associated with cross-border payments in emerging markets.
Ghana represents a strategic market for NALA due to its strong diaspora links and high volume of remittance inflows. Remittances contribute significantly to the country’s economy, supporting household income, education, and small businesses. As a result, the sector remains tightly regulated, with authorities acting against unlicensed operators in recent months to protect consumers and maintain financial system integrity.
For customers, the expansion is expected to deliver faster transfer times, clearer pricing, and improved reliability. Direct integration with Ghana’s payments infrastructure reduces reliance on intermediaries that can increase costs or cause delays. It also aligns with the country’s widespread adoption of mobile money, which has become a dominant channel for everyday financial transactions.
The move reflects a broader shift within Africa’s fintech ecosystem, where startups are increasingly prioritizing regulatory compliance as part of their growth strategies. Rather than expanding through informal arrangements, companies like NALA are seeking formal approvals and partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability and trust with both users and regulators.
Competition in the remittance space has intensified in recent years, with global players and regional fintechs targeting African corridors. NALA’s entry into Ghana with regulatory backing positions it to compete more effectively while offering an alternative to traditional remittance services that often charge higher fees or operate with limited transparency.
With Ghana now added to its regulated markets, NALA is expected to continue expanding its footprint across Africa. The partnership with BigPay may also serve as a model for future market entries, combining local compliance expertise with NALA’s cross-border payments technology as the company deepens its presence in key remittance corridors.
