The fintech platform Grey has expanded its local currency services to Ghana and Kenya, allowing freelancers and remote workers in those countries to receive payments directly in Ghanaian cedis and Kenyan shillings. The expansion, announced on July 9, 2026, follows Grey's initial launch in Nigeria and aims to simplify the process for Africans earning income from international clients.
Grey's core service allows users to create virtual foreign currency accounts, primarily in US dollars, euros, and pounds sterling, to receive payments from platforms like PayPal, Upwork, and Deel. The company then facilitates the conversion of these funds into local currency for withdrawal. The new feature for Ghana and Kenya enables recipients to bypass the initial foreign currency account step for certain transactions, receiving funds directly in their local currency if the sender chooses that option.
The company stated that this direct local currency receipt aims to reduce friction and costs for users, particularly those who do not need to hold foreign currency balances. Grey's CEO, Idorenyin Obong, highlighted the importance of addressing the specific financial hurdles faced by African remote workers, who often deal with high foreign exchange fees and complex withdrawal processes from international platforms.
The expansion into Ghana and Kenya represents a strategic move for Grey to tap into two of Africa's more established digital finance markets. Ghana has a rapidly growing fintech sector and a high rate of mobile money usage, while Kenya is home to the continent's most famous mobile money system, M-Pesa. Both countries have significant populations engaged in the global digital freelance economy.
Grey's model operates within the broader context of Africa's cross-border payment challenges, where traditional banking channels can be slow and expensive for converting remittances or business income. Several fintechs across the continent, including Chipper Cash and MFS Africa, have built networks to facilitate cheaper and faster currency conversions and transfers, though Grey focuses specifically on the niche of remote professionals.
The company's growth is part of a wider trend of fintech solutions targeting Africa's burgeoning freelance and remote work sector, which has expanded with the increase in global digital jobs. Regulatory environments in Ghana and Kenya regarding foreign exchange and digital payments are evolving, with authorities generally encouraging innovations that promote financial inclusion and formalize digital transactions.
Grey indicated that its services in Ghana and Kenya are fully operational as of the announcement date. The company did not disclose specific user numbers or transaction volumes for the new markets but emphasized that the rollout was based on user demand from those regions. Grey's previous operations in Nigeria, where it launched in 2021, provided the foundation for this regional expansion.