Editor’s note: African-Startups is a sister publication of EU-Startups, bringing trusted coverage of startups, venture capital, and innovation across Africa.
South Africa-headquartered Xago Technologies and France-based NGPES have announced a strategic integration that promises to reshape international cross-border digital payments between Africa and Europe.
The partnership links the blockchain-powered payment network of Xago with NGPES’s EU-regulated FinTech infrastructure.
The alliance combines fiat and digital asset capabilities to deliver near-instant, cost-efficient, borderless transfers. Under the arrangement, NGPES clients sending euro-denominated payments tap Xago’s local currency off-ramp services across multiple markets where the Cape Town-based firm operates. At the centre of this integration is an embedded blockchain layer that enables near-instant settlement.
According to the companies, the transactions will be routed through the digital wallets of both platforms, bypassing traditional intermediaries. and eliminating delays and fees that have historically encumbered cross-border remittances. The service also operates around the clock, allowingbetween bank accounts regardless of geography.
It’s not just the technical aspect that showcases the capabilities of the two firms, but also the robust regulatory framework on which the integration works. NGPES holds both a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) licence and a Payment Institution licence in France, operating with fully compliant euro-pegged stablecoins. Xago, on the other hand, is licensed as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) in South Africa, a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) in Australia, and is pursuing a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence in Botswana.
Founded in 2016, Xago’s platform runs on the XRP Ledger and supports USDC and USDT stablecoins, while NGPES leverages EURC and USDC on Ethereum and Solana, leading to a partnership with broad stablecoin reach and flexibility across multiple blockchain networks.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Xago, a prominent industry leader that began its journey in Africa and has successfully expanded its payment solutions to more than 50 countries worldwide. This partnership aligns perfectly with our international expansion strategy and strengthens our presence in Africa, where Xago holds a dominant position. Together, we are delivering a risk-free, highly efficient payment solution that meets the evolving needs of corporate clients globally,” said Frank Combay, COO of NGPES.
“Collaborating with NGPES marks a significant event for Xago. As an EU-licensed entity, NGPES brings solid regulatory expertise and access to European markets. This integration will enhance our EU digital payment corridor and expand our geographic footprint. This partnership is especially timely as Xago’s transaction volume has surpassed $1 billion and continues to grow. We are confident this collaboration will provide our clients with even greater speed, reliability, and cost savings,” said Kevin Lewis, Xago’s Chief Revenue Officer.
Xago, which already supports more than 20 African currencies, including the South African Rand, Botswana Pula, Nigerian Naira, Malawian Kwacha, and Zimbabwe Gold, will accelerate the continent’s financial integration with global markets. It says corporate clients and small businesses across key payment corridors – Africa-EU, Africa-US, Africa-Canada, and Africa-UK – will gain access to faster and more affordable international transactions.
With Africa’s decentralised finance sector undergoing rapid expansion, the partnership couldn’t have come at a better time. The partnership between Xago and NGPES connects traditional fiat rails (via IBANs and bank account numbers) with digital currencies. Xago has already surpassed $1 billion in transaction volumes, and the partnership with NGPES positions both firms to scale the global payment infrastructure.
