Paystack's AI Checkout Offers a First Look at the Future of African Commerce
The Nigerian fintech is testing an AI-powered checkout that lets users complete payments through ChatGPT and other assistants, offering an early look at how conversational commerce could develop across Africa.
Paystack has recently introduced Paystack Index, an experimental AI-driven checkout solution that enables users in Nigeria to complete transactions through popular AI assistants such as ChatGPT, Claude, and OpenClaw.
The new product, developed by Paystack with product support from TSG Lab, the venture studio and emerging technology division of The Stack Group, and is currently available in early access as the company explores how artificial intelligence can simplify everyday digital payments.
At launch, Paystack Index allows users to instruct compatible AI assistants to perform routine financial tasks, including buying airtime, purchasing mobile data, transferring money through Zap, funding wallets, and ordering meals from Chowdeck. The platform currently supports airtime and data purchases across Nigeria’s major mobile networks.
Furthermore, the service extends Paystack’s existing payment infrastructure by integrating AI agents into the checkout process. Rather than navigating multiple apps or websites, users can simply ask a supported AI assistant to complete a transaction. Paystack Index interprets the request, connects it to the relevant merchant or service provider, and processes the payment securely using Zap and Paystack’s payment systems.
According to Paystack, users maintain full control over every transaction. The platform only carries out actions that users explicitly authorize through their preferred AI assistant and within predefined permissions and spending limits. The company also emphasized that it does not store sensitive payment information such as card numbers, CVVs, PINs, or bank account credentials.
Commenting on the launch, Paystack CEO Shola Akinlade said the company believes payment experiences must evolve as AI assistants become an increasingly common way for people to search, make decisions, and complete online tasks.
“Paystack has always focused on helping businesses get paid safely and reliably, wherever their customers are. As AI agents become a more common way for people to search, decide, and take action, we think checkout has to evolve too,” Akinlade said.
He added that Paystack Index is an early experiment designed to bring the company’s checkout technology into AI-powered experiences while ensuring payments remain secure and user-authorized through Paystack’s trusted infrastructure.
The rollout is part of a controlled beta programme, allowing Paystack to evaluate how consumers interact with AI-powered commerce, understand how merchants can safely integrate with AI-driven checkout, and identify the infrastructure needed to support the growing adoption of AI-assisted transactions.
For now, Paystack Index is available only in Nigeria, but the company says it plans to expand the platform with additional features, onboard more merchants and bill payment services, and extend availability to other African markets in the future.
Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.
Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke
