# Nala

> Nala is a cross-border payments and multi-currency account fintech focused on corridors into Africa and beyond.

Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/nala
Last updated: 2026-08-11
Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom fintech, United Kingdom neobanks, Payment platforms, Remittance platforms, Consumer neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks

**Nala** (branded NALA) is a financial technology company offering international transfers and multi-currency accounts from the UK, US and EU to dozens of countries, with a strong focus on African corridors. Its B2B rail, Rafiki, exposes payouts and collections via API.[^nala1]

## History

Nala grew as a remittance-first consumer app and later productised its payment infrastructure for other businesses. Partner banks and e-money institutions hold funds depending on market.

## Founders

**Benjamin Fernandes** is the founder and chief executive officer of [Nala](/wiki/nala) (NALA), a cross-border payments and multi-currency fintech focused on corridors into Africa and other emerging markets. A Tanzanian entrepreneur with degrees including a Harvard background and a Stanford MBA, Fernandes is a Y Combinator alumnus who has spoken publicly about applying to YC multiple times before breaking through.

Fernandes built Nala from a consumer remittance app into a broader payments infrastructure company—including B2B rails under the Rafiki brand—for businesses sending into emerging markets, with growing use of stablecoin settlement. Backed by investors such as Accel and DST Global, he positions Nala as payments infrastructure for "the next billion" users underserved by correspondent banking.

## Reception

Nala is recognised for African remittance corridors and emerging-market payout infrastructure (including Rafiki APIs). Stablecoin settlement and multi-jurisdiction licensing are central to its growth story.

## Products

Consumer send/hold/convert accounts, fast payouts to banks and mobile money, and Rafiki APIs for global businesses paying into emerging markets, including stablecoin settlement options.

## Infobox

- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founder**: Benjamin Fernandes
- **Type**: Private
- **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom
- **Focus**: Remittance / multi-currency
- **Corridors**: UK, US, EU → Africa & Asia
- **Model**: Partner-bank / payments fintech

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Nala?

Nala is a cross-border payments and multi-currency account fintech focused on corridors into Africa and beyond.

### When was Nala founded?

Nala was founded in 2019.

### Where is Nala headquartered?

Nala is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

### Who founded Nala?

Nala was founded by Benjamin Fernandes.

### What type of company is Nala?

Nala is described as Partner-bank / payments fintech in its neobank.wiki profile.


## References

[^nala1]: Nala provides money-transfer and account services with licensed partners by jurisdiction; it is not itself a full-service retail bank in all markets.