CashAfrica, a Lagos-based provider of contactless payment infrastructure, has announced a strategic partnership with Chicken Republic, one of Africa's leading quick-service restaurant brands. The collaboration was unveiled in October 2026 and is intended to expand Mobile Tap to Pay adoption across Nigeria. Through this agreement, banks and fintechs that rely on CashAfrica API services for tap-to-pay transactions can now process payments at more than 350 Chicken Republic locations nationwide.
Expanding Mobile Tap to Pay Access
The partnership gives CashAfrica's financial institution clients a direct route to Chicken Republic's extensive retail network across the country. Customers can now complete contactless payments at checkout without relying on cash, cards, or QR codes alone. The move represents a major step toward making Mobile Tap to Pay a mainstream payment method in Africa, supporting faster and more convenient transactions.
Building on Existing Infrastructure
This announcement follows an earlier 2026 integration between CashAfrica and PalmPay POS, which enables compatible mobile tap-to-pay transactions through existing payment terminals. The technical foundation means merchants do not need to deploy entirely new hardware to support the payment option at their stores. By connecting its infrastructure with Chicken Republic's store footprint, CashAfrica extends the practical reach of contactless payments across Nigeria and strengthens its merchant ecosystem.
Technology Designed for Speed and Compliance
CashAfrica's platform is built to process contactless payments in about one second. The technology supports both iOS and Android devices, giving a broad range of users access to the service on their own smartphones. It is also designed to operate within applicable regulatory requirements, ensuring that speed and convenience do not come at the expense of compliance.
Leadership Perspectives
CashAfrica CEO Malik Asamu described the partnership as a strategic move to take Mobile Tap to Pay mainstream while delivering a best-in-class payment experience. He noted that Nigerian users and merchants previously had options including transfers, cards, QR codes, and cash, and this agreement adds a new Pan-African payment layer. Chicken Republic Head of Finance Solomon Ojelade added that customer experience remains central to the brand, and the collaboration makes every meal faster, easier, and more convenient for guests.
Future Expansion Plans
Over the coming months, CashAfrica and Chicken Republic will work to extend Mobile Tap to Pay access to more banks and fintechs through their mobile apps. The objective is to give end users a reliable one-second payment experience at checkout across participating outlets. This expansion is expected to deepen contactless payment adoption among Nigerian consumers and merchants.
A Growing Contactless Ecosystem
The announcement reflects growing momentum in Africa's digital payments sector. Quick-service restaurants are increasingly important adoption points because they process large volumes of frequent, low-value transactions. Partnerships such as this one can speed up consumer familiarity with contactless technology while giving financial institutions real-world locations where tap-to-pay functionality adds immediate value.
By aligning contactless payment infrastructure with one of Nigeria's most visible quick-service restaurant chains, CashAfrica is positioning Mobile Tap to Pay as a practical everyday option. The partnership demonstrates how existing payment rails and merchant networks can be connected to deliver faster transactions without heavy new investment. For consumers, the result is a more seamless checkout experience, while banks and fintechs gain a new channel to increase usage through their mobile apps.