Zap Africa has openly contested claims made by Paystack in a recent article published by Condia concerning the ongoing trademark dispute over the name “Zap.” Oke Umurhohwo, Head of Marketing and Communications at Zap Africa, stated that the company had issued a cease and desist notice to Paystack on March 26th, before receiving any legal communication from Paystack, challenging Paystack’s assertion that they were the first to issue such a notice.

Further allegations suggest that Paystack has not only used the disputed name but also adopted key branding phrases like “Just Zap It” and “You just got Zapped,” which have been central to Zap Africa’s brand identity for years. “This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a clear case of brand misappropriation,” Umurhohwo added.

Zap Africa also disputes Paystack’s claims of holding comprehensive trademark rights to the name “Zap” across multiple categories, including financial services. “Our research shows that Paystack has not applied for several key trademark classes where Zap Africa holds active registrations,” Oke Umurhohwo indicated, asserting that Paystack does not hold any valid trademark for the name.

Tobiloba Asu-Johnson, CEO of Zap Africa, commented on the broader implications of the dispute, emphasizing concerns over business ethics and the behavior of larger corporations towards smaller entities. “This issue goes beyond legality but also concerns integrity and ethical business practices. Large corporations often use their size and influence to overshadow smaller brands. Instead of fostering innovation and fair competition, they create confusion, knowing well that smaller businesses often lack the resources to fight back,” said Asu-Johnson.

Amid these legal battles, Zap Africa is also recognized for its innovative contributions to the African fintech landscape. The company who operates zap.africa was the first in Nigeria to launch a non-custodial exchange and wallet, providing a solution to the challenges associated with peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions and offering users unparalleled control over their assets. This innovation underscores Zap Africa’s commitment to enhancing the security and efficiency of digital financial transactions across the continent.