Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, the leading independent pan-African financial services group, has announced a strategic partnership with Nium, a global leader in real-time payment infrastructure. This partnership will facilitate faster, more efficient cross-border payments for Ecobank’s 32 million customers across 35 African markets, marking a significant advancement in the region’s financial landscape.
The collaboration aims to transform how businesses and individuals conduct international transactions across the continent. By integrating Nium’s cutting-edge payment infrastructure with Ecobank’s robust banking platform, the two companies will enable seamless real-time payments, reducing waiting times and enhancing access to global markets for African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Through this partnership, Ecobank will connect its existing SWIFT workflows to Nium’s advanced network. This integration will enable real-time transfers, clearing, settlement, and payment tracking without the need for complex API installations, further simplifying the process for Ecobank customers. Businesses and consumers will benefit from faster payments to over 220 destinations, including real-time capabilities in more than 100 countries.
“This partnership with Nium allows us to strengthen our service offerings and provide our customers with fast, efficient cross-border payment solutions,” said Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group. “By leveraging Nium’s API-based platform, we are advancing financial inclusion and enabling African businesses to compete and thrive in a global marketplace.”
Anupam Pahuja, General Manager and Executive Vice President for APAC, Middle East, and Africa at Nium, highlighted the impact of the collaboration: “We are thrilled to partner with Ecobank to introduce Nium’s real-time payment capabilities across Africa. This collaboration not only expands our payments network but also supports Ecobank in delivering enhanced services to its customers across the region.”
With the ability to exchange existing SwiftMT and ISO20022 messages through Nium’s real-time platform, Ecobank is set to drive growth and streamline cross-border payments for African businesses. The partnership aligns with Nium’s broader mission of promoting global financial inclusion by providing access to efficient real-time payments in regions where traditional banking may be slower or less reliable.
Together, Ecobank and Nium are paving the way for a new era in African banking, empowering millions with faster, more reliable cross-border transactions and strengthening connectivity to global markets. This partnership is poised to unlock new economic opportunities and bolster financial inclusion across the continent.
