Ikirangi Ltd, a Rwandan electronics manufacturer, imports specialised components from a supplier in China or the UAE, and needs to pay $38,000 to ship processors. But there is one challenge. When Ikirangi Ltd initiates payment through a traditional bank, the funds take 7 to 10 business days to clear and settle in suppliers’ accounts due to intermediary banks and compliance checks. Each bank deducts a transaction fee, and the originating bank charges a high wire transfer fee. When the funds arrive in China or the UAE, Ikirangi Ltd discovers that exchange rate losses and fees have eroded nearly 3% of the invoice value.
The initial delay in payment stifles the release of the components, causing a bottleneck in Ikirangi’s production line. They miss a key deadline for fulfilling a large local retail order, and this unpredictability implies they can’t accurately forecast when production will start, leading to strained relationships with local customers.
Founded in 2025, ZuniQ was built to remove these barriers, offering affordable, instant, borderless, and transparent payments for businesses. With ZuniQ, cross-border payments are settled T+1, within one business day of the transaction. The solution was built specifically for businesses in emerging markets within Asia and Africa, which global payment plans often neglect.
What makes ZuniQ so different?
The platform provides transparency and control over funds: no hidden charges or settlement surprises, and foreign exchange rates are fully visible before transactions are initiated. This minimises unforeseen losses during cross-border payments. As opposed to traditional, established bank networks, ZuniQ also uses modern cross-border payment rails and leverages corresponding local bank partnerships for quick and reliable settlements.
With the traditional correspondent banking model, some banks typically face delays when they lack sufficient reserves in foreign currency (like the euro or U.S. dollars); they must first purchase the currency before processing the transaction, causing settlement delays. ZuniQ eliminates this bottleneck by providing access to deep liquidity across multiple currencies, enhancing reliability and speed for global businesses.
“Most payment platforms include hidden fees that businesses often don’t notice when transacting, but we’re very transparent about that,” Joshua Nwogodo, CEO of ZuniQ, said. “That’s another thing that makes us stand out. So, whenever you convert from one currency to another, you’re seeing the price, and what you see is exactly what you get. Nothing is hidden.”
For companies in specific industries, such as NobilTrade Nigeria, an importer of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) that relies on speed to preserve product quality, logistics firms that demand real-time operational efficiency, and exporters focused on securing competitive FX rates, ZuniQ helps them transact faster and cheaper across borders.
“Our rates are very competitive, lower than what most platforms charge for similar service,” Nwogodo added. “Most platforms charge more for cross-border payments. At ZuniQ, we keep our fees lower than usual so businesses can save more and enjoy fast, secure transfers.”
What is next for ZuniQ?
As 2025 draws to a close, ZuniQ will roll out its full fleet of products to build a comprehensive fintech ecosystem, removing the barriers common to slow and unpredictable B2B cross-border payments. They include:
- ZuniQ Global Payments for fast, affordable, borderless business-to-business (B2B) payments.
- ZuniQ Wallet provides multi-currency accounts that let businesses collect funds, convert instantly, and manage treasury needs from one place. With ZuniQ’s wallet, businesses will be able to make collections in local currency and settle in their preferred currencies.
- ZuniQ OTC Desk for large-volume FX conversions and institutional trades. With the Over The Counter (OTC) desk, businesses executing high-volume trades can access deep liquidity, ensuring smooth execution and reliable access to large currency pools, ensuring trades remain stable and are not affected by exchange rate slippage, which can lead to significant losses.
- ZuniQ API Suite for fintechs and marketplaces to collect payments, make payouts, and stay compliant with transactions.
Nwogodo added, “We’re making sure payments get to businesses T +1, because the only way you can do business consistently with your partners is when your payments are consistent. It builds trust, cultivates that trust, and it also helps with consistent business transactions across both ends.
ZuniQ is available for businesses that want to scale across borders. To get started, join the waitlist for ZuniQ here.
