Kenyan Fintech Connects Africa to Caribbean Remittances

A Nairobi-based payments company is bridging continents in a way that could change how millions of families build financial futures.

WapiPay secured approval from Jamaica's central bank to operate in the Caribbean nation, making it the first Kenyan fintech to enter the region. The company will partner with local payment service JN Money Services to facilitate transfers between Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

The timing matters. Jamaica receives $2.5 billion in remittances annually, accounting for 15% of the country's entire economy. Most of that money comes from family members working abroad in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, supporting households back home with essentials like food, rent, and school fees.

But WapiPay sees something bigger than bill payments. The company, founded in 2019 by twin brothers Eddie and Paul Ndichu, started by helping African and Asian traders move money across borders for business. Now they're building tools that turn regular money transfers into financial credentials.

In February, WapiPay launched a credit scoring system in Kenya that lets banks use remittance history as proof of income. For the first time, families receiving consistent support from relatives abroad can qualify for loans, even without traditional employment records.

The Ripple Effect

This approach could unlock opportunities for households across the Global South. In Kenya alone, remittances topped $5 billion in 2025, making them one of the country's largest foreign exchange sources. Yet about 80% goes straight to immediate needs, rarely building long-term wealth or creditworthiness.

By creating South-to-South payment corridors, WapiPay is helping emerging economies connect directly without routing through expensive Western financial hubs. The Jamaica expansion proves the model works beyond Africa, potentially opening doors for similar partnerships across Latin America and Southeast Asia.

"Our entry into the Jamaican market reinforces our commitment to regulatory excellence and building a robust financial infrastructure that connects the Global South," co-founder Paul Ndichu said.

For families sending and receiving money across oceans, this means lower fees, faster transfers, and the chance to turn survival support into stepping stones toward bigger dreams.