Tanzanian fintech NALA has officially launched in Kenya, marking a significant expansion into one of Africa’s most vibrant remittance markets. The cross-border payments startup has entered the country through a partnership with Equity Bank and Kenya’s national interbank payment system, PesaLink, in a move designed to tap into the billions flowing into the economy from the diaspora.
The partnership will see NALA route international remittances through PesaLink’s instant payment infrastructure, with Equity Bank handling settlements. For Kenyans, this translates into real-time receipt of funds sent from abroad directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets.
Riding on Kenya’s Remittance Boom
The timing couldn’t be better. Remittances remain a lifeline for many households and a crucial pillar of Kenya’s economy. In 2024, Kenya received $4.94 billion in diaspora inflows, according to the Central Bank of Kenya. By mid-2025, remittances had already reached $2.519 billion, up from $2.4 billion in the same period the previous year.
With an existing user base in the UK and USA, two of the top corridors for sending money into Kenya. NALA is well-positioned to capture a share of this growing market.
Borrowing a Page from WorldRemit
NALA’s strategy is pragmatic. Instead of applying for a standalone licence, the startup has followed the path of WorldRemit, which entered Kenya by partnering with the Co-operative Bank of Kenya to facilitate cross-border money transfers. This model allows NALA to scale faster while leveraging established players’ compliance and infrastructure.
Taking on M-PESA
Still, the competition is formidable. M-PESA dominates Kenya’s mobile money space, controlling 90.8% of the market and processing transactions worth over $296 billion annually. Challenging such dominance requires more than a strong product, it demands trust, convenience, and competitive pricing.
Yet, NALA has momentum on its side. The fintech has already facilitated over $1 billion in global remittance transfers and recently raised $40 million to fuel its expansion across Africa. Its entry into Kenya, supported by Equity Bank and PesaLink, gives it a foothold in one of the continent’s most lucrative financial markets.
What This Means for Kenyans
For recipients, the arrival of NALA adds more choice and could drive down transaction costs as competition heats up. For the ecosystem, it signals continued innovation and the growing role of partnerships in reshaping Africa’s financial services landscape.
With Kenya’s remittance flows showing no signs of slowing, NALA’s debut may prove to be a timely move and one that could reshape how diaspora funds reach millions of Kenyan households.
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