In today’s fast-moving world, being able to make quick and easy payments is essential. This is especially true for Africa, a continent that’s making strides to enhance its digital payments landscape. A key player in this evolution has been MFS Africa, which has recently rebranded to Onafriq to reflect its growth and broader ambitions.
The transformation from MFS Africa to Onafriq is not merely a change in name. It’s a bold step towards bigger goals.
The name Onafriq is a blend of the Yoruba word “Ona” meaning pathways, and the French word “Afrique” for Africa. Moreover, the ‘IQ’ in Onafriq stands for intelligence, hinting at the smart approach the company takes in tackling the complex world of fintech (financial technology).
Recently, Onafriq made a big move by acquiring another company named GTP. This acquisition helped Onafriq extend its services to the US, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
Why MFS Africa has rebranded to Onafriq
Dare Okoudjou, the founder of Onafriq, mentioned that the previous name, MFS Africa, became too restrictive as the company expanded its services.
Now, Onafriq aims to provide more than just mobile financial services. They are working to create an all-encompassing platform that facilitates easy payments across Africa and beyond. The new name also solves a trademark issue, as ‘MFS’ was already owned by another company in the US.
Okoudjou’s vision is clear: to build a payment system that reaches every corner of Africa and stands the test of time. The rebranding to Onafriq reflects this vision and opens up new possibilities for the company on a global scale.
What They Said: Okoudjou is very passionate about this new chapter.
He said, “From the start, my goal was to create a way to pay that reaches all parts of Africa and lasts a long time. I hope we can do that and make borders matter less.”
The idea of ‘One Africa’ is also echoed in the new name—Onafriq. It’s a call for a united Africa where making and receiving payments is hassle-free, no matter where you are on the continent. Onafriq is inviting partners, stakeholders, and the entire African community to join them in making this vision a reality.
In a statement, the company elaborated that Onafriq “reminds us of the idea of One Africa, where access to easy payments helps everyone do better.” This is the core of what Onafriq stands for—a future where the ease of making payments fosters growth and prosperity across Africa.
