Paystack is betting that the next evolution of digital payments in Africa may involve artificial intelligence agents completing transactions on behalf of users with the launch of Paystack Index, an early-access product designed to let consumers in Nigeria carry out routine transactions through supported AI assistants.
The product, developed by Paystack with support from its own TSG Labs, initially enables users to purchase airtime and mobile data, transfer funds through Zap, and order food from delivery platform Chowdeck. The system currently works with supported AI clients including ChatGPT, Claude, and OpenClaw.
The launch comes as technology companies globally race to move AI systems beyond chat interfaces and into tools capable of taking actions on users’ behalf. While most AI products have focused on generating content or answering questions, a growing number of companies are exploring “agentic” systems designed to execute tasks such as scheduling appointments, shopping, or processing transactions.
For payments providers, that shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge: enabling AI systems to initiate transactions while ensuring users remain in control of their finances.
“Paystack has always focused on helping businesses get paid safely and reliably, wherever their customers are,” Chief Executive Officer Shola Akinlade said in a statement. “As AI agents become a more common way for people to search, decide, and take action, we think checkout has to evolve too.”
The company said users would retain authority over what actions AI systems can perform through permissions and spending limits set by customers. Transactions are processed through Paystack’s existing payments infrastructure, while the company said it does not store card numbers, CVVs, PINs, or bank account credentials.
The rollout is initially limited to Nigeria as part of a controlled beta program that Paystack said will help it understand how consumers interact with AI-led commerce experiences and what infrastructure merchants may require as usage evolves.
The move also signals a broader ambition extending beyond traditional payment processing. Rather than simply powering checkout buttons on websites and mobile apps, Paystack appears to be positioning itself as infrastructure for AI-native commerce experiences.
Paystack currently serves more than 300,000 organizations across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire.
Additional merchants, billers, features and African markets are expected to be added over time, according to the company.