African fintech infrastructure startup Anchor has achieved major regulatory milestones as it expands its compliance portfolio across multiple markets. The company recently secured a licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to operate as an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) and completed Money Services Business (MSB) registration with Canada’s FINTRAC. These approvals strengthen Anchor’s ability to support financial institutions and startups with compliant cross-border payment and banking solutions.
Expanding Regulatory Footprint
The IMTO licence from the CBN enables Anchor to provide regulated remittance services within Nigeria, one of the world’s largest remittance corridors. This development positions the company to facilitate secure, compliant inflows of foreign currency while addressing the needs of millions of Nigerians who rely on remittances. At the same time, the FINTRAC registration in Canada broadens Anchor’s international reach by aligning its operations with stringent North American regulatory standards.
Building Compliance as Infrastructure
Anchor’s CEO Segun Adeyemi highlighted that the company is building more than just technology through its APIs, dashboards, ledger infrastructure, orchestration tools, and stablecoin rails. Alongside these offerings, Anchor is investing in regulatory licences and compliance frameworks that enable partners to launch financial products more efficiently and with reduced risk exposure. By embedding compliance directly into its infrastructure, the company seeks to lower barriers for fintech builders while ensuring long-term regulatory alignment.
Unlocking New Opportunities for Builders
The new approvals unlock a range of opportunities for Anchor’s customers and partners. Startups and financial institutions leveraging its infrastructure can now fast-track remittance offerings and streamline B2B payables and receivables with clear compliance pathways. In addition, the licences expand the scope of available services, including multi-currency wallets, accounts, payment services, and card issuance.
Strategic Importance of Compliance
Adeyemi credited the company’s legal and compliance team, led by Genevieve Henshaw, for navigating complex regulatory processes in both jurisdictions. He emphasized that constructive engagement with regulators has been central to Anchor’s strategy of embedding trust and credibility into its operations. By demonstrating a commitment to robust compliance, the company reinforces its positioning as a trusted partner for fintech development across emerging markets.
Driving Global Expansion
The regulatory milestones reflect Anchor’s broader vision to create infrastructure for the “next billion” users of financial services. With approvals now secured in Nigeria and Canada, the company is steadily building a global portfolio of licences that will support future expansion into additional regions. This strategy ensures that as it scales technologically, it also maintains a compliance-first approach to financial innovation.
Anchor’s progress underscores the increasing importance of compliance as a foundation for fintech growth in Africa and beyond. By securing licences in both Nigeria and Canada, the company not only strengthens its infrastructure offering but also enables partners to innovate within regulated frameworks. As fintech adoption accelerates across emerging markets, Anchor’s dual focus on technology and compliance is positioning it as a critical enabler of financial access worldwide.