…Targets faster international supplier transactions
By Kingsley Samuel
Stablecoin-powered cross-border payments platform, Clea, has introduced a Vendor Payments solution designed to help African businesses pay international suppliers, auction platforms and shipping companies more seamlessly from a single platform.
The company said the new capability comes as demand for cross-border payment solutions continues to rise, disclosing that it processed more than $20 million in transaction volume within six months of emerging from stealth in December 2025.
According to Clea, the Vendor Payments feature has already been adopted by over 50 businesses since its pilot launch, reflecting growing demand for easier international supplier payment solutions.
The platform enables customers to make payments directly to supported vendors, including vehicle auction platforms Copart and IAA, without leaving their Clea accounts.
Users only need to select a supported vendor, enter the required payment reference, such as a buyer number, lot number or invoice number, and authorise the transaction. Clea said preconfigured vendor information allows payments to be completed almost instantly, while additional suppliers and payment destinations will be added over time.
Speaking on the launch, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clea, Sheriff Adedokun, said fragmented payment processes continue to slow the growth of African businesses trading internationally.
He said: “African businesses are increasingly trading across borders, but managing international supplier payments remains unnecessarily fragmented. At Clea, we’re building more than a payments platform; we’re building the financial infrastructure businesses need to trade globally with confidence.
“Vendor Payments is another step in that journey, giving businesses a faster, simpler and more transparent way to pay trusted suppliers and trading partners while focusing on growing their operations.”
The company explained that the service is currently available to eligible verified business customers and supports US dollar payments to selected suppliers in the United States. Customers can fund their Clea accounts in naira, convert to foreign currency on the platform and complete international payments within the same transaction flow.
Clea said the launch represents another milestone in its ambition to become an integrated financial infrastructure platform for African businesses engaged in global trade.
According to the company, future updates will expand the Vendor Payments ecosystem by introducing a broader network of global suppliers, invoice management tools, recurring payment capabilities and additional trade-focused financial services aimed at simplifying international commerce for businesses across Africa.
