Paga Partners Leadway Assurance to Embed Insurance Services Into Doroki Platform

Paga has entered into a strategic partnership with Leadway Assurance to integrate insurance products directly into its Doroki merchant platform, expanding financial protection and risk management options for merchants operating across Nigeria.

The collaboration brings insurance services closer to small and medium-sized businesses by embedding coverage options within a platform already used for payments and daily business transactions.

The move aligns with broader efforts to deepen financial inclusion while addressing operational risks faced by merchants in Nigeria’s retail and informal sectors.

Under the arrangement, merchants using Doroki will be able to access insurance solutions tailored to the realities of their day-to-day operations.

The coverage is structured to protect income streams, business assets, and operational continuity, helping merchants manage disruptions that could otherwise threaten business survival.

Beyond providing insurance products, the partnership introduces a structured framework for risk awareness and resilience. Merchants will receive clear information on policy coverage, claims processes, and basic risk management practices, aimed at improving understanding and confidence in the use of insurance as a business tool rather than a reactive safeguard.

Speaking on the partnership, Doroki’s General Manager for merchants, Arike Okwunowo, said the initiative reflects the company’s focus on strengthening merchant confidence and long-term growth. According to her, integrating insurance into the platform allows merchants to concentrate on scaling their businesses while reducing exposure to unexpected financial shocks.

Leadway Assurance described the collaboration as part of its strategy to make insurance more accessible and relevant to everyday business activities.

The company said embedding insurance into a trusted digital platform simplifies adoption and supports merchants in protecting their livelihoods without introducing additional operational complexity.

The partnership also reflects a growing trend of embedded finance in Nigeria, where fintech platforms are expanding beyond payments to offer complementary financial services such as insurance, credit, and savings.

By leveraging Doroki’s existing merchant network, Leadway is able to extend its reach to thousands of small businesses that are often underserved by traditional insurance channels.

Doroki provides digital payment solutions and value-added financial services to merchants nationwide, supporting secure transactions, cash management, and access to financial tools that underpin daily commercial activity.

The addition of insurance services is expected to strengthen the platform’s value proposition and deepen merchant engagement.

Industry observers say the success of the initiative will depend on ease of use, clarity of coverage, and effective claims execution, factors that have historically influenced insurance adoption among small businesses. If well implemented, the partnership could contribute to building a stronger culture of risk preparedness and financial resilience within Nigeria’s merchant ecosystem.