NALA Turns to Debt Financing as Stablecoin Payments Soar

Tanzanian fintech NALA has secured an initial $25 million credit facility from Liquidity, with the potential to expand to $50 million. This marks a strategic shift for the company, which initially focused on remittance apps but now operates as a stablecoin payments infrastructure provider.

The deal was arranged through Mars Growth Capital, a joint venture between Liquidity and MUFG Bank. NALA chose this debt financing approach over another equity round to maintain control while funding rapid growth.

Stablecoin Payments Drive Demand

The surge in demand is fueled by the expanding stablecoin payments market, which has seen monthly volumes exceed $30 billion as of early 2026 (according to Artemis Analytics and McKinsey). This trend is particularly evident in B2B transfers where stablecoins offer faster, cheaper alternatives to traditional banking.

Rapid Growth Trajectory

Since launching its Rafiki enterprise payments platform in March 2024, NALA has processed $1 billion in transaction volume—growing from zero in just 18 months. The company reports a fivefold increase in business and a tenfold rise in revenue over the past year.

From Remittances to Payments Infrastructure

NALA’s transformation reflects a broader evolution in fintech, where successful companies expand beyond their initial focus to build comprehensive payment solutions. With connections to 249 banks and 26 mobile money services across 16 countries, NALA now serves as a critical on-ramp for global businesses seeking access to emerging markets.

NALA’s founder and CEO Benjamin Fernandes described the facility as essential to managing rapid growth that previously outpaced its funding structure. The company is currently working with clients including MoneyGram, TransferGo, and Cadana.