Access to cryptocurrency in Africa is becoming easier as exchanges look for ways to connect digital assets with everyday payment systems. In a new development, African crypto exchange VALR has announced a partnership with Onafriq, a major digital payments network, to enable users across the continent to fund crypto accounts using mobile money in local currencies.
The partnership aims to simplify how people move funds from mobile wallets into the crypto market. By connecting VALR’s trading platform with Onafriq’s payment infrastructure, users will be able to deposit funds directly through widely used mobile money services and gain access to digital asset trading.
Through the integration, users can deposit funds from their mobile money wallets into their VALR accounts. Once the transaction is completed, the funds are typically converted into stablecoins such as USDC, USDT, or EURC, which can then be used to trade or exchange for other cryptocurrencies on the platform.
The collaboration leverages Onafriq’s extensive payment network, which connects nearly one billion mobile money wallets across more than 40 African markets. This network provides a bridge between local financial systems and the growing global crypto ecosystem, allowing users who rely on mobile payments to access digital assets more easily.
Mobile money has become a key financial tool across Africa, especially in regions where traditional banking services remain limited. Millions of people rely on mobile wallets for everyday payments, remittances, and savings. By integrating mobile money with crypto services, the partnership seeks to lower barriers for users who want to participate in digital asset markets.
Once a deposit is completed, users gain access to VALR’s broader platform, which supports trading for Bitcoin and over 100 other digital assets. The exchange also offers additional services such as staking, lending, and payment tools within its ecosystem.
VALR currently serves more than 1.7 million users and over 2,000 institutional clients globally, making it one of the largest crypto exchanges operating from Africa. The company has been expanding its services across different markets as interest in digital assets continues to grow across the continent.
The partnership reflects a broader effort within the crypto industry to connect blockchain-based financial services with existing payment infrastructure. Linking mobile money systems with digital asset platforms, companies are working to create easier entry points for millions of users across emerging markets.
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