Paystack has announced the launch of The Stack Group, or TSG, a newly formed holding company designed to oversee a growing portfolio of technology businesses linked to the African payments firm. The announcement marks a significant structural shift as Paystack enters its second decade of operations. It also reflects the company’s ambition to expand its impact beyond payments while maintaining a focused, product-led approach.
Background and Context
The Stack Group has been established as the parent entity for several complementary brands that have emerged from Paystack’s ecosystem over time. Agreements formalizing TSG were signed in October 2025 and remain subject to relevant regulatory approvals. Founding shareholders include Stripe, Paystack founder and CEO Shola Akinlade, and existing Paystack employees.
Growth Since Stripe Acquisition
Since being acquired by global payments company Stripe in 2020, Paystack has reported more than twelvefold growth in payment volumes. The company now operates across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, with additional regulatory approvals secured in Egypt and Rwanda. Together, these markets represent nearly half of Africa’s gross domestic product.
Expansion and Licensing Footprint
Paystack’s expansion strategy has prioritized regulatory compliance and localized infrastructure rather than rapid geographic coverage. This approach has enabled the company to deepen its presence in each market while maintaining consistent product quality. As a result, Paystack now supports hundreds of thousands of businesses across multiple African economies.
Profitability and Financial Position
Alongside its operational growth, Paystack disclosed that the broader group has reached profitability. This milestone follows several years of investment in technology, compliance, and market expansion after the Stripe acquisition. The company attributed its financial performance to sustained volume growth and disciplined execution across its core markets.
Paystack MFB and Financial Infrastructure
A key recent development has been the launch of Paystack Microfinance Bank in Nigeria, which operates as a standalone regulated entity. The bank allows the group to internalize critical financial infrastructure, including banking and credit services, for over 300,000 Nigerian merchants. This capability supports the delivery of fully integrated, compliant money movement solutions tailored to local needs.
Portfolio Under The Stack Group
Under TSG, each business will remain operationally independent while benefiting from shared expertise in building Africa-focused technology products. The portfolio includes Paystack for merchant payments, Zap for consumer payments, Paystack Microfinance Bank for banking services, and TSG Labs as a venture studio. TSG Labs is expected to develop new products within fintech as well as in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
Strategic Rationale and Leadership Perspective
According to Shola Akinlade, the formation of TSG reflects a broader vision shaped by nearly a decade of working with African businesses. He noted that the needs of these companies extend beyond payments and require a wider range of technology solutions. Akinlade also acknowledged Stripe’s continued support and its confidence in Africa’s long-term potential.
Anniversary Timing and Governance
The announcement coincides with Paystack’s tenth anniversary in January 2026, underscoring a symbolic transition into a new phase of growth. TSG has been positioned as a long-term platform for building and scaling multiple ventures rather than a short-term corporate restructuring. Regulatory processes are ongoing, and the company has indicated it will provide updates as approvals are finalized.
The launch of The Stack Group formalizes Paystack’s evolution from a single-product payments company into a multi-venture technology group. By combining profitability, regulatory depth, and a diversified product roadmap, TSG aims to support African businesses at a broader systemic level. As Paystack enters its second decade, the new structure signals an intent to play a more expansive role in shaping the continent’s digital economy.