BillDesk set to acquire India payment business of France-based Wordline for $70 million

India’s digital payments sector is set for further consolidation as BillDesk moves to acquire the Indian payment businesses of French payments major Worldline SA, in a transaction that strengthens the Mumbai-based company’s ambition to build a vertically integrated payments stack.

BillDesk said it has signed an agreement to acquire Worldline India’s payment operations. The deal, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

While BillDesk did not disclose the transaction value in its initial statement, Worldline said the proposed sale carries an estimated equity value of about $70.8 million and values its India business at an enterprise value of $43.7 million.

As part of the transaction, Worldline will enter into a long-term technology and software partnership with BillDesk. Under this arrangement, BillDesk will continue to use Worldline’s payment software on an ongoing basis, enabling continuity in technology infrastructure even as ownership changes hands.

BillDesk said the combined businesses will offer an omnichannel payments experience, spanning digital transactions, recurring mandates, cross-border flows, and in-store POS and QR acceptance across urban and emerging markets. The company added that the acquisition would expand its reach in new regional markets, strengthen merchant distribution and accelerate monetisation opportunities.

“This transaction is a forward-looking investment in India’s payments ecosystem. It strengthens our ability to deliver a more connected and scalable payments experience for banks, enterprises and merchants, while supporting digital adoption across markets and segments,” BillDesk cofounder MN Srinivasu said.

Worldline entered India in 2017 through the $104.5 million acquisition of Chennai-based MRL PosNet, gaining a strong customer base of banking institutions, particularly in South India. Over the years, its Indian arm secured regulatory approvals from the Reserve Bank of India. In 2024, Worldline ePayments India received RBI authorisation to operate as an online payment aggregator. In May last year, it also received approval to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator, enabling it to facilitate online import and export transactions under the formal regulatory framework.

BillDesk, for its part, received the RBI’s cross-border payment aggregator licence in 2024. The acquisition is expected to consolidate its position in the payments ecosystem, combining regulatory permissions, merchant relationships and technology capabilities under one platform.

The transaction forms part of Worldline’s broader strategy to sharpen its focus on core payment activities in Europe, streamline operations and optimise resource allocation. The company said the cash proceeds from the India sale and other previously announced divestments are expected to strengthen its financial profile and support capital redeployment towards core businesses.

Worldline said the combined net cash proceeds from all its previously announced divestments, including MeTS, Worldline North America, Cetrel, PaymentIQ and its India business, are estimated to be between $637.2 million and $696.2 million. The proceeds are expected to be received in 2026.

Financially, BillDesk reported a moderation in performance in FY24. According to its consolidated financial statements, revenue from operations declined to Rs 2,334 crore from Rs 2,678 crore in the previous year. Profit after tax fell to Rs 121 crore from Rs 142 crore.

Worldline India reported revenue from operations of Rs 694 crore in FY25, while posting a loss of Rs 22.5 crore, according to The Head and Tale report.