Migrate from Paystack

Concept and API mapping from Paystack to Watenga's PayFac model — sub-merchants live inside Watenga's ledger with per-transaction statement descriptors.

Not legal advice

This documentation summarizes Watenga's integration and compliance posture for developers and merchants. It does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Canonical policies live in our security documentation repository. Consult qualified counsel for jurisdiction-specific obligations.

Before you switch

Export recent Paystack settlement reports for reconciliation.
List active webhooks and map event types using the table below.
Replace sk_live_ Paystack keys with Watenga sk_live_ secret keys.
Embed Watenga.js instead of Paystack inline or popup flows.

Concept mapping

Paystack	Watenga
Transaction	Checkout session → ledger transaction
Subaccount	Sub-merchant in Watenga PayFac ledger
Transfer recipient	Verified bank account (TOTP to add)
Transfer	Payout from Watenga balance
Dedicated NUBAN	Not used — aggregate PayFac settlement
Split	Transaction splits

API mapping

Paystack	Watenga	Notes
POST /transaction/initialize	POST /v1/checkout/create	Returns checkoutId + widget config
GET /transaction/verify/:reference	GET /v1/checkout/:id/status	—
GET /transaction/:id	GET /v1/transactions/:id	—
GET /transaction	GET /v1/transactions	—
POST /refund	POST /v1/transactions/:id/refund	—
POST /transfer	POST /v1/payouts/request	—
GET /transfer	GET /v1/payouts	—
POST /transferrecipient	POST /v1/merchant/bank-accounts	—
POST /subaccount	POST /v1/merchant/subaccounts	Subaccounts; PayFac ledger, no per-merchant gateway ID
POST /customer	POST /v1/merchant/customers	—
GET /customer/:id	GET /v1/merchant/customers/:id	—
POST /charge	Watenga.js + COPY&PAY	No direct charge API on merchant server
POST /charge_authorization	Not supported v1	Use checkout per payment
POST /plan	POST /v1/subscriptions/subscription-plans	—
POST /subscription	POST /v1/subscriptions	—
POST /paymentrequest	POST /v1/payment-links	—
GET /balance	GET /v1/account/balance	—
GET /settlement	Dashboard reports / exports	—
POST /bulkcharge	Batch via payment links or API loop	—
POST /dedicated_account	Not applicable	Watenga uses unified PayFac settlement
POST /split	POST /v1/merchant/splits	Transaction splits
GET /bank	GET /v1/meta/markets/:iso2/banks	—
POST /decision/bin	Fraud rules (platform)	Contact support for enterprise rules

Webhooks

Paystack signs with HMAC-SHA512; Watenga uses HMAC-SHA256. Update verification logic and event handlers. Full event catalogue: Webhook reference.

Paystack event	Watenga event
charge.success	payment.capture.completed
charge.failed	payment.capture.declined
transfer.success	payment.payout-item.succeeded
transfer.failed	payment.payout-item.failed
transfer.reversed	payment.payout-item.returned
refund.processed	payment.refund.completed
refund.failed	payment.refund.failed
subscription.create	billing.subscription.created
subscription.disable	billing.subscription.cancelled
invoice.create	invoicing.invoice.created
invoice.payment_failed	billing.invoice.payment-failed
customeridentification.success	No equivalent event (customer identity)

Example handler

javascript

// Watenga — verify signature first, then switch on event.type
const event = verifyWatengaWebhook(req.rawBody, req.headers['watenga-signature']);

switch (event.type) {
  case 'payment.capture.completed':
    await fulfillOrder(event.data.object);
    break;
  case 'payment.refund.completed':
    await markRefunded(event.data.object);
    break;
}

API keys

Paystack public key → Watenga publishable key (pk_test_ / pk_live_)
Paystack secret key → Watenga secret key (sk_test_ / sk_live_)
Create keys in the Developer Dashboard per API app.

Test checklist

Create checkout with sk_test_ and complete a sandbox card payment.
Confirm payment.capture.completed webhook delivery.
Issue a partial refund and verify balance + webhook.
Request a test payout to a verified bank account (sandbox limits apply).

Go live

Complete market compliance and KYC (dashboard compliance wizard).
Set statement descriptor suffix (max 14 chars, A–Z 0–9 space dot dash).
Rotate to sk_live_ and enable live webhooks only on HTTPS endpoints.

Subaccounts

Paystack subaccounts map to Watenga sub-merchants. NMB and card networks see Watenga aggregate volume; Visa statement descriptors show WATENGA*YOUR_SUFFIX per transaction.