NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 5 – Africa’s premier digital payments network, MFS Africa, has rebranded to Onafriq, marking a significant milestone in its journey.
The company said the name change reflects the its remarkable evolution and its forward-looking vision.
Founder and CEO, Dare Okoudjou, expressed the rationale behind the rebrand, explaining that, “The name MFS Africa, like a garment that’s become too snug, no longer fit our expanded scope. We’ve transcended our origins in mobile financial services and evolved into a comprehensive omni-channel platform spanning the continent and beyond. As we enter this new phase, we sought a name that symbolizes our aspiration to weave a single network connecting every corner of the continent to individuals and businesses alike.”
The decision to rebrand follows a period of robust growth and strategic acquisitions, including the recent purchase of GTP, which extended the company’s presence into the US market. Dare Okoudjou noted, “The trademark MFS was also owned by a US company, making its usage outside of Africa increasingly complex. With our new identity, we can unify our brand and presence.”
The name Onafriq merges “Ona,” the Yoruba word signifying pathways, with “Afrique,” the French term for Africa, along with a subtle reference to IQ. This amalgamation symbolizes Onafriq’s commitment to being a trailblazer in African fintech. Furthermore, the name evokes the notion of One Africa, a borderless and interconnected continent where access amplifies potential.
Dare Okoudjou reiterated, “From day one, my vision was to establish a payment infrastructure that spans every corner of Africa and persists for over a century. I hope we can achieve this and make borders truly matter less.”
In a world where cross-border transactions are often hindered by complexity, Onafriq aims to dismantle these barriers, facilitating economic growth and empowerment.
As the organization embarks on this exciting new chapter, it extends an invitation to partners, stakeholders, and the entire African community to join the journey of innovation, collaboration, and progress, with the shared goal of making borders less significant for millions of Africans across the continent.
