Verto Webinar Unpacks Future of Cross-Border Payments in Africa

Global fintech firm Verto on Thursday hosted a webinar shedding light on the challenges and opportunities that businesses face when entering and operating across African markets.
Titled “The Future of Global Finance: Innovating Cross-Border Payments in Africa,” the virtual session featured experts from across Verto’s operations, including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and the UK. It explored how businesses can navigate the complexity of international payments, regulatory requirements, and financial risks through technology-driven solutions.
Opening the discussion, Austin Okpagu, Verto’s Country Director for Nigeria, pointed out that expanding into new African markets is often slowed by three key challenges: business registration, payment collection, and regulatory navigation.
“One of the biggest problems we’ve seen is: how do I collect payments from partners in local markets without being physically present?” said Okpagu. “With Verto, businesses can now receive payments in local currencies like ZAR or NGN without having to register a local entity, reducing setup time and cost.”
He noted that African markets, though highly promising, remain volatile. “Companies must plan around FX unpredictability, regulation, and economic complexity,” he added.
The panel emphasized the importance of financial discipline and leadership foresight in mitigating risks. They encouraged SMEs and startups to establish internal financial controls from the onset, including audit trails, policy documents, and strong monitoring frameworks, to gain a competitive edge.
“Strategic financial oversight isn’t just an accounting issue, it’s a leadership responsibility,” said Bukola Oyeboade, Country Head Finance, Verto. “Businesses need visibility across multiple currencies, and access to real-time data, not just quarterly reports.”
Technology, they argued, is a vital enabler. With Verto’s platform, businesses can track currency exposure, manage cash flow, and control FX margins, all from a centralized dashboard.
Another major highlight was the regulatory landscape. Participants were cautioned not to overlook the importance of compliance, especially in countries like Nigeria, where new tax laws and reporting obligations are evolving rapidly.
“There’s no tax planning without understanding the law,” Okpagu warned. “Businesses must take compliance seriously, from onboarding clients with KYC and AML processes, to preparing documentation for cross-border tax audits.”
Verto revealed it is already licensed in several countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and the UK, and actively engages with regulators to ensure its services remain fully compliant across jurisdictions.
The session also highlighted multi-currency wallets as a key tool for financial efficiency. Businesses can hold, convert, and pay in currencies like USD, NGN, ZAR, and CNY, all while reducing conversion fees and delays.
“Holding funds in one currency exposes businesses to FX losses. Verto’s multi-currency accounts let you collect, hold, and disburse in various currencies, allowing for greater treasury control,” noted Bridget Ogundijo, Commercial Manager, Nigeria, Verto.
These solutions are particularly useful for African exporters and service providers dealing with international clients and suppliers.
Verto emphasized the need for strategic partnerships in cross-border finance. From onboarding support to regulatory guidance, the right partner, like Verto, can mean the difference between friction and scale.
“You’re only as strong as the compliance of your weakest partner,” Bridget concluded. “Startups must put compliance at the core, not just in finance teams but across leadership.”
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