Cardri, Chisco partner on cross-border payment solution for African travellers

African countries push for deeper regional trade and easier movement of people, payment systems remain one of the barriers facing travellers and businesses operating across borders. Different currencies, exchange rates, transaction delays and the risks linked to carrying cash continue to affect many people travelling within the continent.

Against this backdrop, Cardri Finance and Chisco Transport Limited have entered into a partnership aimed at improving cross-border payments for African travellers and traders.

The agreement was signed at the Chisco Transport head office in Lagos, where executives from both organisations said the collaboration would focus on making payments across African countries easier for passengers travelling on regional routes.

Under the arrangement, passengers travelling with Chisco across West African countries will have access to Cardri’s payment infrastructure through the Cardri mobile application. Users will be able to fund their wallets using local currencies and make payments in other African countries without relying on repeated currency exchanges or carrying physical cash.

The platform will also allow users to send money across borders instantly, with recipients receiving funds through local payment channels such as bank accounts and mobile money wallets.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Bolaji Okunade, chief executive officer of Cardri Finance, said the partnership goes beyond a business arrangement and addresses a wider challenge affecting trade and movement across Africa.

“This partnership represents more than a business collaboration; it is a bold infrastructure play for Africa’s future. For decades, Africans have endured fragmented payment systems while travelling or trading across borders. Today, we are changing that reality,” he said.

Okunade said Africa’s economic integration would remain limited if payment systems across countries continue to create delays and difficulties for travellers and businesses.

“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) cannot achieve its full potential without efficient payment infrastructure. Governments alone cannot build the future of African trade; private sector innovators must step forward to solve real problems at scale. In Europe, travellers move across countries and transact seamlessly with confidence. Africa deserves that same experience, and Cardri is building the financial infrastructure to make it possible.”

He added that Cardri’s focus is not limited to payments but also includes improving financial access and supporting trade across African markets.

“At Cardri, we are not just building a fintech product; we are building the operating system for Africa’s cross-border commerce. Our intelligent risk management infrastructure allows us to provide instant settlement experiences while maintaining trust, compliance, and transaction security across multiple African markets,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Buchi Ochuba, group business drive manager of Chisco Transport Limited, said the partnership reflects the company’s efforts to improve travel experiences for passengers moving across West Africa.

“For many years, we have transported passengers across West Africa and witnessed firsthand the payment difficulties travellers face. High exchange costs, uncertainty around rates, and the risks associated with carrying physical cash remain major concerns for many people travelling across borders,” he said.

Ochuba noted that Chisco’s operations across the region place the company in a position to support the adoption of digital payment systems among travellers.

“As one of Africa’s most reputable transport companies with decades of proven excellence, Chisco is proud to partner with Cardri Finance to introduce a revolutionary solution that will improve convenience, safety, and financial access for travellers across the continent.”

David Clement, chief operating officer of Cardri Finance, also spoke about the difficulties many African travellers and traders face while dealing with multiple currencies during trips across different countries.

“We interact daily with travellers and businesses facing avoidable financial friction. In many cases, people are forced to exchange currencies multiple times during a single trip and often return home with leftover cash in different currencies,” Clement said.

“Cardri eliminates that inefficiency. Our platform allows users to hold value digitally, make payments instantly, and move across African countries without worrying about currency barriers or delayed settlements.”

Industry observers say the partnership comes at a time when African countries are increasing efforts to strengthen regional trade under the AfCFTA framework. The demand for digital payment systems and easier financial transactions across borders has also continued to grow as more businesses and travellers move within the continent.

Cardri Finance said its infrastructure supports local and international transfers, currency conversion and multi-currency transactions designed for individuals and businesses operating across Africa.

Chisco Transport, which has operated regional transport services for decades, connects passengers and businesses across several West African countries.

Both organisations said they expect the partnership to support easier travel, improve financial access and contribute to efforts aimed at building a more connected African economy.