Legal

Terms of Service

Last updated: October 26, 2026
Platform Architecture: Paye provides unified payment orchestration infrastructure across Africa through two models: Bring Your Own Keys (BYOK) Mode (merchant processor routing with zero custody of funds) and Managed Mode (unified checkout, ledger balance, and verified settlement disbursements).

1. Agreement to Terms

By creating a Paye account, integrating our SDK or APIs, or accessing our platform in any way, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, you must not access or use our Services.

2. Description of Services & Operating Modes

Paye provides multi-processor routing, smart failover, and payment orchestration services for businesses operating across Africa. Paye operates under two distinct models:

  • Bring Your Own Keys (BYOK) Mode: You connect your own direct merchant accounts from supported payment processors (e.g. Paystack, Flutterwave). Paye provides dynamic intelligent routing, uptime monitoring, and failover infrastructure. Under BYOK Mode, Paye never holds custody of funds; all settlements occur directly between the third-party processor and your merchant account.
  • Managed Mode: You accept payments via Paye's master processor rails without managing individual gateway accounts. Collected funds are credited to your Paye ledger balance and disbursed to your verified business bank account in accordance with your plan limits and compliance verification tier.

3. Account Registration, Plans & Volume Caps

Merchants agree to provide accurate registration information and comply with the volume limits of their selected plan:

  • Starter Free: Up to ₦500,000 monthly volume. Requires Level 1 personal identity verification (BVN/NIN).
  • Starter Plan: Up to ₦2,000,000 monthly volume. Requires Level 1 verification.
  • Growth Plan: Up to ₦7,000,000 monthly volume. Requires Level 2 CAC business registration verification.
  • Business Plan: Unlimited volume. Requires Level 2 CAC registration verification.
  • Plan Downgrade Policy: A project that has processed transaction volume in the current calendar month that exceeds a lower tier's limit cannot downgrade to that tier until the monthly volume resets at the start of the next billing cycle.

4. Managed Settlements and Payouts

In Managed Mode, settlements are processed to the merchant's designated settlement bank account:

  • Settlement Bank Account: Merchants must provide a valid NUBAN bank account matching their business identity. In Live Mode, the bank account is verified via NIBSS prior to disbursement.
  • Disbursement Requests: Payouts may be initiated on-demand from available balance or scheduled via automated payout rules.
  • Sandbox Simulation: In Sandbox/Test Mode, all ledger balances, bank account resolutions, and payout transfers are simulated for development testing and carry no monetary value.

5. Developer Responsibilities & API Key Security

As a developer or merchant using Paye, you are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the confidentiality of your Paye Live and Test secret API keys and webhook secrets.
  • Securing any third-party gateway credentials provided to Paye in BYOK Mode.
  • Ensuring all API requests originating from your systems are authorized and comply with applicable financial laws.
  • Promptly rolling API keys in your dashboard if an exposure or security incident is suspected.

6. Prohibited Activities

You may not use Paye to process payments for illegal goods or services, unlicensed financial operations, multi-level marketing schemes, gambling without requisite licenses, or any activity prohibited by Nigerian or international law. We reserve the right to suspend projects engaging in suspicious or unlawful activity.

7. Intellectual Property

Paye retains all right, title, and interest in and to the platform, including our APIs, SDKs (paye.js), routing algorithms, documentation, brand assets, and trademarks. You are granted a limited, revocable, non-exclusive license to use the Services for lawful payment orchestration.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Paye shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from third-party processor downtime, banking network interruptions, gateway account suspensions, or unauthorized use of your credentials.

9. Termination and Suspension

You may terminate your account at any time by closing your project and withdrawing any outstanding eligible settled balance. We may suspend or terminate access if you breach these Terms, fail KYC/AML verification, or exceed risk thresholds.

10. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without regard to conflict of law principles.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us at support@paye.africa.