Partnership Details

The messaging and payment platform Botim Money has entered a partnership with the global payments infrastructure company TerraPay. Announced on February 18, 2026, the collaboration is designed to expand Botim Money's global remittance reach, with a particular focus on facilitating inbound transfers to Africa.

Strategic Context

The partnership connects Botim's user base with TerraPay's network of over 200 receiving countries and territories. For users in Africa, this integration is intended to provide a wider selection of options for receiving money from abroad directly into their Botim Money wallets or linked bank accounts. The move occurs as North Africa sees increased activity from global payment giants. Visa recently announced the formation of a dedicated sub-regional business unit covering Egypt, Libya, and Sudan to boost digital payments operations in those markets.

Company Backgrounds

Botim is a communication app developed by the UAE-based tech company MIH, part of the Rivoli Group. It has evolved from a voice and video calling platform to incorporate financial services under the 'Botim Money' brand, targeting the Middle East and North Africa region. TerraPay, founded in 2015 and headquartered in the Netherlands, operates a global payments infrastructure that connects banks, mobile wallet providers, and money transfer operators. It is licensed in multiple jurisdictions, including by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and holds a Payment Institution license from the Dutch Central Bank.

Market Landscape

The partnership aligns with broader trends of fintechs and messaging platforms integrating cross-border payment solutions to serve Africa's large diaspora population. Remittance flows to Sub-Saharan Africa are a critical source of foreign exchange and household income. The region continues to see growth in digital remittance channels, though costs remain a focal point for regulators like the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Ghana. The move by Botim and TerraPay follows other regional integrations, such as Visa's new North Africa unit, which signals the strategic importance of digital payment corridors connecting the Middle East and Africa.

Focus on Africa

While the partnership is global, its emphasis on Africa targets a continent where remittances are vital. Countries like Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya are among the top recipients of remittances on the continent. The service will need to navigate diverse regulatory environments, from Egypt's central bank, which has been promoting digital payments, to varying mobile money landscapes across East and West Africa. The success of such integrations often hinges on partnerships with local financial institutions and mobile network operators to ensure last-mile delivery.

Outlook

The Botim Money and TerraPay collaboration represents another step in the convergence of communication platforms and financial services. By leveraging TerraPay's existing rails, Botim can potentially accelerate its rollout of remittance services without building its own extensive cross-border network. The partnership's impact will be measured by its ability to offer competitive transfer speeds and costs compared to established players like Wise, Western Union, and regional mobile money ecosystems such as M-Pesa.