VitalSwap, a digital payments company, has expanded its cross-border payment infrastructure to Nigeria and Ghana, targeting the high cost and delays associated with international money transfers between the United States and Africa.

The expansion includes a remittance corridor connecting the United States to Nigeria through a partnership with Veem, alongside plans to strengthen remittance services to Ghana. The company is also expanding its payment capabilities to enable businesses to accept stablecoins and other digital assets from customers.

The development comes amid growing demand for faster and more affordable international transfers, particularly among African diaspora communities, businesses, freelancers and remote workers who receive payments from overseas.

Nigeria remains a major recipient of remittances in sub-Saharan Africa, with personal transfers to the country reaching $20.93 billion annually, according to figures cited by the company.

However, the cost of sending money across borders remains a concern. The World Bank has identified sub-Saharan Africa as the most expensive region for remittances, with average transaction costs approaching 7.9 per cent.

VitalSwap said its expanded remittance services were designed to provide additional channels for transferring funds from the United States to West Africa, with an emphasis on competitive exchange rates, lower transaction costs and faster settlement.

The transfers are particularly important for households and businesses that depend on funds from abroad to meet essential expenses, including school fees, healthcare, property acquisition and business operations.

Beyond traditional remittances, the company is extending its services to accommodate the growing use of digital assets in international commerce.

Through its VitalSwap Business Checkout infrastructure, merchants and digital platforms can accept stablecoins, including USDT and USDC, as well as other supported cryptocurrencies. The service provides businesses with an additional payment option without requiring them to develop separate cryptocurrency payment systems.

The move reflects changes in the way international transactions are conducted, as individuals and businesses increasingly combine conventional bank transfers with digital currencies to receive and transfer funds.

For instance, a Nigerian freelance developer working for a United States-based company may receive payment in USDT, while a remote worker in Ghana may earn USDC from an international client.

VitalSwap said its expanded cryptocurrency functionality would enable users to receive supported digital assets and convert stablecoins such as USDT and USDC into fiat currencies.

The platform supports transactions involving USDT, USDC, the United States dollar, the Nigerian naira and the Ghanaian cedi, providing users with additional options for managing international earnings.

The company’s cryptocurrency services operate alongside its foreign exchange marketplace, which allows users to specify preferred exchange rates or explore available market offers.

According to the company, independent comparison platform RateWatch recently ranked VitalSwap among the five providers offering competitive United States dollar-to-naira exchange rates.

VitalSwap said its payment infrastructure currently serves more than 30,000 users across Africa, Asia, North America and Europe, with payment capabilities covering 30 countries.

The expansion underscores the growing intersection between traditional financial services and digital payment systems as providers seek to meet the needs of individuals and businesses operating across multiple markets.

For African households dependent on diaspora remittances, as well as businesses receiving payments from international customers, the availability of alternative payment channels could offer greater flexibility. However, the actual benefits will depend on transaction fees, exchange rates, settlement times and the accessibility of the services to intended users.